Wondering what the causes of teeth grinding in children are? Don't know if it's a natural occurrence or a symptom that should worry you? Read our article and find out the causes, consequences and, most importantly, how to prevent grinding. 

Causes of teeth grinding in children 

Unfortunately, it is impossible to clearly identify why some children struggle with grinding. Therefore, the problem is not easy to treat. Interestingly, it need not always be alarming - for example, teeth grinding in a one-year-old child is perfectly natural. The same is true for two- and three-year-olds. Why? The "culprit" here is teething. The child is curious, learning about his or her body and the processes within it. 

In contrast, teeth grinding in older children can be worrying. It is said that stress and emotional tension can be the cause. Children encounter a lot of difficulties on their way, which may not matter to adults. Perhaps there is something going on at home (it could be the arrival of a sibling!) or at nursery or school. A change of environment usually involves great excitement, hence the crush that can occur. 

It is worth noting that physiological grinding may also occur. This applies to children who have begun the process of replacing milk teeth with permanent teeth (around the age of 6-7 years). Regular dental visits are then necessary to monitor the occlusion. 

You need to know that teeth grinding occurs in children in the autism spectrum and ADHD. Furthermore, it can occur with vitamin deficiencies and or allergies. 

Teeth grinding in children - what are the consequences? 

Teeth grinding causes the enamel to wear down. Teeth become uneven and also hypersensitive. Teeth can become loose and even crack! Bleeding gums can also be another consequence. You can read more about this in our article: "Bleeding gums - causes and treatment". 

That's not all! Bruxism in children also causes headaches, neck or spine. Toddlers struggle with difficulty with their balance and their senses of hearing and vision. Furthermore, there may be difficulty in opening the mouth wide, as well as pain in the jaw area. 

Read also: "Malocclusion in children - causes, consequences and treatment". 

How can this be prevented? 

If the grinding of teeth in children occurs through stress; it is known that the child reacts in this way to various emotional tensions, it is worth considering a visit to a psychologist. This specialist will know best how to solve the problem. Also ensure that your little one has a chance to relax before bedtime. Spending time together, going for a walk, reading a book or taking a bath will certainly reduce at least some of the tension.

Remember that a visit to the dentist is necessary once you have noticed a problem. The dentist will assess the condition of the teeth and may order a so-called relaxation splint. This will prevent your child from grinding his or her teeth and therefore prevent them from becoming loose and cracked. 

Teeth grinding in children is a complex problem that requires a lot of time and patience to get rid of. Read more about it in our article: "Bruxism, or teeth grinding - where does it come from and how to get rid of it?". 

Choose a good Polish dentist in the UK 

It is worthwhile for your child not to equate a visit to the dentist with additional stress. Therefore, if you are a parent, be sure to take advantage of the adaptation visit. By doing so, you give your little one the chance to get used to the surgery, which can only pay off in the future! 

Many adults through unpleasant childhood experiences are reluctant to go for a check-up. And, as you know, prevention is the key to a healthy mouth. Good habits should therefore be built as early as possible. Not sure how to prepare your little one for a visit to the dentist? Read our article, in which we explain everything step by step: "How do you prepare your child for a visit to the dentist?". 

We warmly invite you to use the services of our practice. Our specialists know what to do to make your child feel comfortable. What's more, we use the latest technology to avoid a lot of unnecessary pain in all kinds of procedures. 

We offer professional dental care for the little ones. Get in touch with us!