BRUXISM: HOW TO STOP CHILDREN FROM GRINDING THEIR TEETH

One of the most disturbing sounds for parents is the crunch and squeak coming out of a child’s room at night. But grinding teeth isn’t quite as bad as it sounds. Find out more…

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The first time you hear it, the crunchy sound of your child’s grinding teeth is alarming. You imagine it must hurt and cause damage. The good news is it goes away and isn’t often a serious problem.

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding teeth or clenching jaws. It’s a phase of growing up and very common – studies found that up to three in ten kids (some say more) grind at some stage. It can start very early in their life but in most cases stops once they lose their baby teeth.

KINDS OF BRUXISM
Sleep bruxism is a sleep disorder. Those who grind, gnash, or clench their teeth during sleep are more likely to experience other sleep disorders. This includes snoring and pauses in breathing, known as sleep apnea.

Awake or daytime bruxism can be due to emotions such as stress, tension, or anger. It can be a habit – when you’re concentrating hard, for instance.

Moving your mouth like you’re chewing during sleep isn’t unusual. Up to 60 percent of people do it. The difference is that sleepers with bruxism bite down more often and much harder.



CAUSES
Bruxism runs in families and could also be a sign that the top and bottom teeth don't line up well. Kids might grind to ease pain from earache or teething, for instance.

A different problem is stress – about school, a big life change, arguments with parents and so on. In this case, grinding can continue much longer – until you get the anxiety under control.

Kids who are hyperactive or have certain medical conditions might grind. It can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Related article: Family health history: why it’s important and what to know

EFFECTS
You might visualise teeth cracking and splintering as your sleeping child bites down, but in most cases that doesn’t happen. Headaches, earaches, and sore jaw muscles are more likely after-effects.

Kids often don’t even know they’re grinding but parents or siblings will hear it. A child might have a sore jaw or face in the morning or feel discomfort when chewing.

In severe cases, grinders can develop problems in the joints just in front of the ears. A telltale sign of this is a clicking sound when they open and close the mouth.

Related article: How to ease your child’s anxiety

WHAT TO DO
You don’t have to rush to the dentist unless your child’s teeth are hurting badly but mention the grinding at your next check-up.

The doctor will look for damage and spray water on teeth to check for sensitive spots. The dentist might ask questions to find out if the child’s problem is misaligned teeth or stress and suggest treatment.

MOUTH GUARDS
A custom mouth guard made by a dentist might be a solution. It’s a little pricey but makes a difference almost right away.

You can buy mouth guards over the counter for less. They’re usually made of a plastic material. The trick is to pick one made of soft plastic or can be boiled to soften it.

Rinse mouth guards with warm water as soon as you take them out. Then clean with your toothbrush. Don’t use toothpaste since it can be abrasive and wear the guard down faster. Let it dry completely and put in a closed container. Keep it away from pets – dogs love chewing them…

If you think your child’s grinding is caused by stress, have a chat about it. Find out what makes them anxious and look for a solution together.



Related article: The A-Z of children’s health

WINDING DOWN AND BREATHING
Chill time before bed is a good idea anyway and especially helpful for bruxism. Let the child put down the tablet and step away from the TV. A warm bath, soothing music, or some reading can all help.

Breathing exercises are a reliable way to let your body relax naturally, also for daytime bruxism. Start with ten deep breaths. This will slow down breathing and make you feel calm.

The Sleep Foundation suggests diaphragmatic breathing (or belly breathing). It uses the large muscle at the base of the lungs and can strengthen the diaphragm, which helps you breathe more efficiently. Here’s how.

• Lie down. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other right below your rib cage. This helps you check that you’re only breathing through your belly.
• Breathe in through the nose so your belly pushes up against your hand. Your other hand and your chest should remain as still as possible.
• Keep your chest still and tighten your stomach muscles. Exhale through pursed lips (like you're whistling).
• Repeat until you feel more relaxed.

Many of us aren’t used to engaging our diaphragm when we breathe, the Sleep Foundation explains, so this may take some practice. Do just a few minutes when you get into bed, then gradually increase the time.

Useful link: The Bruxism Association (http://www.bruxism.org.uk)

Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org, https://www.sleepfoundation.org, https://www.healthline.com, https://kidshealth.org, https://www.newmouth.com, https://shc.uci.edu