You hear it from the next room. A rhythmic scraping or clicking sound. You check on your child and they are asleep, grinding their teeth with enough force that you can hear it through the wall.
It sounds alarming. In most cases, it is not. But it is worth understanding what is happening, why it happens, and when it requires attention.
Teeth grinding during sleep is called nocturnal bruxism. It is common in children, particularly between the ages of 3 and 10. Studies suggest that up to 30 to 40 percent of children grind their teeth at some point during childhood. Most outgrow it without any lasting effects.
Why children grind their teeth
There is no single cause. Nocturnal bruxism in children is associated with several overlapping factors.
Developing dentition
Children's teeth are constantly changing. Baby teeth erupt, loosen, and fall out. Adult teeth push through. The bite is in a continuous state of transition from around age 6 to age 12.
During this period, the way the upper and lower teeth fit together changes frequently. Grinding may be the jaw's way of adapting to these changes, unconsciously adjusting the surfaces of the teeth to find a comfortable resting position.
This type of grinding typically coincides with eruption phases and often resolves once the relevant teeth are fully in place.
Sleep patterns
Bruxism is linked to specific stages of sleep, particularly the transitions between sleep stages. Children who experience disrupted sleep, restless sleep, or sleep-disordered breathing (such as snoring or mouth breathing) are more likely to grind.
If your child snores regularly, breathes through their mouth at night, or pauses briefly in their breathing, mention this to your dentist and GP. These patterns may indicate an airway issue that warrants investigation.
Stress, medication, and airway factors
Stress and anxiety
Children experience stress. Starting school, changes at home, exam pressure, friendship dynamics. While they may not articulate it, their bodies can respond with muscle tension, including in the jaw.
Grinding that starts or worsens during periods of change or stress may have an emotional component. This does not mean your child has an anxiety disorder. It means their jaw muscles are responding to tension in the same way an adult's might.
Medications
Certain medications, including some used for ADHD and some antidepressants, can increase bruxism as a side effect. If your child grinds and is on any regular medication, discuss this with the prescribing doctor.
Airway factors
Growing research links nocturnal bruxism in children to upper airway resistance. Enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or nasal obstruction can narrow the airway during sleep. Grinding may be a reflex that brings the jaw forward to open the airway.
If your child has chronic nasal congestion, snores, or breathes through their mouth during the day, an assessment of their airway may be appropriate. This can involve your dentist, GP, and in some cases an ENT specialist.
Signs to look for
Your child will not always be aware that they are grinding. Signs that may indicate bruxism include:
- Audible grinding at night. The sound is distinctive. It can range from a quiet click to a loud scraping.
- Jaw soreness in the morning. Your child may complain of a sore jaw or face pain after waking.
- Headaches. Particularly around the temples or behind the eyes in the morning.
- Worn tooth surfaces. Teeth that appear flat, chipped, or shorter than expected. Your dentist can identify this during a routine check-up.
- Tooth sensitivity. Complaints about teeth hurting when eating cold or sweet foods.
- Disrupted sleep. Frequent waking, restlessness, or tiredness during the day.
When to be concerned
Most childhood bruxism does not cause lasting damage and resolves on its own. But there are situations where professional assessment is warranted.
See your dentist if:
- The grinding is loud, frequent, and has persisted for more than a few months.
- Your child complains of jaw pain, headaches, or tooth pain.
- You notice visible wear on the teeth (flattened biting surfaces, chips, or enamel loss).
- The grinding coincides with snoring, mouth breathing, or pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Your child has broken a tooth or filling.
Your dentist can assess the degree of wear, check for any damage, and determine whether the grinding is likely to resolve or whether intervention is needed.
At Ivy Dental, our kids dentistry team sees children of all ages and is experienced in identifying and monitoring bruxism.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the suspected cause, the severity of the grinding, and the age of the child.
Monitoring
For mild grinding with no visible wear and no associated symptoms, monitoring is the most common approach. Your dentist checks the teeth at each visit and tracks whether wear is progressing. Many children stop grinding without any intervention.
Night guard or splint
A custom night guard (occlusal splint) can protect the teeth from wear. In children, this is typically considered when there is significant wear on the permanent teeth or when the grinding is causing pain.
Night guards are less commonly used in children with baby teeth or mixed dentition because the teeth and jaw are still changing. A guard made to fit today may not fit in 6 months. Your dentist will advise on timing.
For more on the differences between night guards, splints, and retainers, see our comparison guide.
Addressing airway issues
If the grinding is associated with snoring, mouth breathing, or suspected sleep-disordered breathing, addressing the airway may reduce or eliminate the bruxism. This can involve:
- Referral to an ENT for assessment of tonsils and adenoids.
- Orthodontic assessment to evaluate jaw development and potential expansion.
- Myofunctional therapy to address tongue posture and breathing patterns.
Stress management
If stress or anxiety appears to be a contributing factor, strategies might include:
- A consistent bedtime routine that includes wind-down time.
- Limiting screen time before bed.
- Talking to your child about what is worrying them.
- In some cases, a referral to a child psychologist for targeted support.
Medication review
If your child is taking medication that may contribute to bruxism, discuss alternatives with the prescribing doctor. Do not stop or change medication without medical advice.
Will they outgrow it?
Most children do. Research suggests that the prevalence of bruxism decreases as children move through adolescence. The majority of children who grind their baby teeth do not continue grinding once their adult teeth are fully established.
That said, some individuals continue grinding into adulthood. If the grinding persists past the mid-teens, it is worth investigating bruxism treatment to protect the permanent teeth from long-term wear.
What not to worry about
It can be unsettling to hear your child grinding at night. But a few points for perspective:
- Baby teeth are designed to be lost. Wear on baby teeth from grinding rarely has consequences for the adult teeth developing beneath them.
- Occasional grinding is normal during development.
- Most children who grind show no symptoms and no damage on dental examination.
The goal is not to eliminate all grinding. It is to ensure the grinding is not causing harm and to address it if it is.
Bulk billed children's dental through CDBS
If your child is between 0 and 17, they may be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which provides up to $1,158 in dental benefits over a two-year period. This covers check-ups, X-rays, and many preventive treatments. At Ivy Dental, CDBS-covered items are bulk billed at $0 out of pocket while the remaining Medicare balance covers the planned treatment.
Check our CDBS guide for details on what is covered and how to check eligibility.
Book a check-up at Ivy Dental
If you are concerned about your child's grinding, a dental check-up is the right starting point. We see children of all ages at our Everton Park and Nundah practices in Brisbane, open 7 days. Contact us to book.
Call us on (07) 3266 7120 to book.
