Have you ever heard a loud grinding noise coming from your sleeping child’s room? This grinding (also known as bruxing) is not at all uncommon for toddlers and preschoolers. They may be discovering their first teeth or trying to get the top and bottom teeth to fit together more comfortably. Most children stop grinding by age six or seven, when their permanent molars emerge.
Why do they grind/brux?
There are a number of possible reasons for this habit which can come and go over time. They include pain from ear infections, congestion from colds or allergies, teething, improper tooth alignment or thrusting their jaw forward (like the chin lift taught in basic CPR) in order to open their airway to breathe. With the discovery of new teeth, moving them against each other is not unusual. Typically at this young age anxiety is not the cause of grinding their teeth.
Bruxing consistently over several weeks, versus a night or two during a cold or allergy episode, is a good reason to bring it to the attention of Dr. Neema or Dr. Alex.
What if the front teeth are looking worn down or shorter?
When should I be concerned?
Primary teeth are flexible and continually changing as the child and their jaws grow – even when a child has a mix of adult and baby teeth. At myKIDSdds we have seen both front teeth and baby molars become so ground down by bruxing that the teeth become half their normal height. The child surprisingly experiences no discomfort or sensitivity. Therefore, treatment for the grinding habit is not suggested with mouth guards or splints as we would consider for adult teeth. Getting curious, asking questions and conducting observations to help discover the “why” is key in deciding if it is an isolated tooth issue or a jaw growth and development concern.
Could it be the airway?
As our doctors examine your child’s mouth and our hygienists observe your child during their routine appointments, it is a perfect opportunity for us to see if your child is a noisy breather and if they are primarily a mouth breather. They might struggle with someone working in their mouth for more than a few seconds, including having X-ray images taken. Sometimes the child might be “wiggly” or seem uncooperative with the unknown reason of simply struggling to feel like they can breathe when we are working in their “air space.”
Key symptoms to mention to us include consistent, nightly snoring or loud breathing accompanied by grinding noises. The combination of snoring and grinding is a reason to consider referring your child to an ENT specializing in airway and sleep quality. Airways can be partially blocked by tissue (tonsils, adenoids, turbinates) or narrow by lack of jaw development. Our doctors have the training and resources to either offer direct assistance or connect you with the best specialist for a collaborative consultation.
From an orthodontic standpoint, it’s important to understand the root cause of bruxing before your child begins their journey with braces. The primary teeth will all be exchanged with fresh permanent teeth typically by the age of 12. However, if teeth misalignment and poor jaw development are contributing to bruxing, it is helpful to start orthodontic appliance intervention at an earlier age.
Observation is key
Being a bit of a detective can give us information toward a recommendation on whether or not to take action and intervene. Watching for consistency over time and the conditions in which you notice the grinding will give us clues needed to give you customized advice for your child. myKIDSdds wants to be your partner in caring for your children’s healthy future!
At myKIDSdds, we provide excellent service to our patients through specialized care. Our experienced team of professionals is eager to transform your child’s life by improving their smile through straighter, cavity-free teeth! Your child will receive metamorphic results and a smile they are proud of through our unmatchable orthodontic and pediatric care. Our patient care specialists are eager to schedule your child’s appointment. We are honored to walk with your family on this journey to greater health.
Healthy Smile, Healthy Child
Of course, a beautiful smile begins with a healthy smile. Our team will help your child achieve good oral hygiene through regular cleanings and one on one education. Your little one will receive an oral hygiene score and coaching each time they visit us for a cleaning, cultivating a sense of responsibility and accomplishment while also building their confidence each time they improve their score. Don’t forget, a clean mouth promotes total body health and wellness too! This is why our doctors will screen for airway issues, talk about nutrition, eating habits, and much more. We want our patients to be empowered in the knowledge we provide to them on the health of their facial complex and how it relates to their overall systemic health. We are excited to partner with you throughout your child’s pediatric dental journey into orthodontics, and beyond!
