Teeth grinding, also referred to as bruxism, is common in children. If your child grinds his teeth, you will likely hear it at nighttime or observe symptoms such as headaches, a sore jaw or painful chewing. Although the causes are unclear, some contributing factors include stress, earache, teething or misaligned teeth. Many children grow out of this condition on their own, but you might be able to take steps to prevent your child from grinding his teeth in the meantime.
Step 1
Create a relaxing environment for your child before bedtime to reduce his stress. Try a book, warm bath or soothing music. Encourage him to share if he is angry, worried or fearful of anything. Talking through his stress will help reduce the uneasiness that could be causing him to grind his teeth.
Step 2
Give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever before bed. If his teeth grinding is a result of teething or an earache, reducing the pain while he sleeps might mitigate the cause.
Step 3
Practice behavior therapy. According to MayoClinic.com, practicing proper mouth and jaw positions could reduce teeth grinding. Demonstrate to your child how he can rest his tongue upward with his teeth apart and lips closed, and encourage him to practice this position regularly.
Step 4
Take your child to visit the dentist. If home remedies are not working, or if your child is grinding his teeth as a result of improper alignment, his dentist will likely suggest or prescribe a night guard that your child can wear while sleeping.
Tips and Warnings
- When giving your child pain reliever, be sure that you follow the package's recommended dose or one suggested by his doctor.
- If your child grinds his teeth over a long period of time, it can lead to worn down tooth enamel and increased temperature sensitivity. Get your child's teeth examined if he suffers from bruxism to spot and help relieve these side effects.
Things You'll Need
- Book
- Music
- Pain reliever
