6 Symptoms of Childhood Teeth Grinding

If your child suffers from bruxism (the nighttime grinding and clenching of the teeth), you may be familiar with the sounds of popping or grinding noises when he or she sleeps. Rest assured, bruxism is common in childhood and is usually outgrown by the teen years. Childhood bruxism affects 3 out of every 10 children as a response to tooth loss, jaw growth, stress, malocclusion, or allergies.

6 Symptoms of Childhood Bruxism

The first step in helping to ease your child’s bruxism is to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of it. Below are 6 common signs of childhood bruxism:

1. Tooth sensitivity
2. Grinding noises when your child sleeps
3. Pain when chewing
4. Complaints of pain in the jaw with no apparent cause
5. Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth
6. Headaches, facial pain, or earaches with no apparent cause

While the above symptoms are the most common, some children won’t exhibit any symptoms at all. If the child’s grinding isn’t heard, it may go unnoticed. Unfortunately, bruxism can cause dental complications including cracked teeth, gum recession, or even misaligned jaws.

If you believe your child is suffering from bruxism, please make an appointment for him or her to be seen here at Auburn Family Dental. We can fit your child for a custom mouthguard to protect your child’s teeth during sleep. For more information, please contact our Wichita, KS family dental office today.