Grinding Teeth Sleeping

Hi J.,

If you haven't heard from someone already, I as a dental assistant know that even though it doesn't sound good and is annoying a dentist won't do anything till the adult teeth come in. This matter called BRUXISM is very common. In adults they give a mouth guard (night guard) It could cause choking if dislodged in the childs sleep. My son has the same problem unfortunately. Good Luck. Let me know if there are any break throughs out there. E. D

I have heard that weighted blankets help with this. I have never used them but a friend of mine says they are the best thing in the world. She is going to make me one.

minerals: which ones he needs will be up to you to distinguish; there are about 90 or so

Also, growing bones often don't have enough calcium and cause night time ache. The ache might not be enough to be in the pain category for him to even label it or realize it isn't normal. It might be just enough level to cause tension

My 9yr old daughter used to grind her teeth terribly. We asked her dentist and she said they wouldn't do anything untill they saw problems with the teeth, which they didn't and that she would grow out of it. Her peds. echoed this statment. She has since grown out of it and only does it very rarely now. I know it is like fingers on a chalk board to a mom, but hang in there.

Hi J.,

I am a terrible nighttime teeth grinder myself, and have been since I can remember. My parents say I started the same day I got my teeth! Anyway, the only thing that saves my teeth (and my husbands ears) is a teeth guard that I wear at night. I had mine specially made from the dentist. I've tried the ones they sell at Walgreens and they don't work as well - they don't stay put in your mouth, they wear down easily, etc. It's not such a big deal until your son gets his permanent teeth, but it can still cause some terrible headaches and neck and jaw problems in the meantime. I would check with your dentist about a night guard.

Good luck!!

My 5 year old son does this too and,I know, it's a horrible sound. I thought it was related to stress but our dentist said that it has very little to do with stress or anything like that, he said it was really just the bodies way of trying to make the jaw and teeth fit together properly, (or something like that). He said it was really normal and nothing to worry about. Good luck

You can ask your dentist for a mouth gard. It fits over the teeth to stop the damage to the enamel of the teeth that the grinding does.

I would talk with the dentist and/or an ENT - I think they have mouth guards for this and other suggestions.
Peace, J.

My now six year old daughter grinds her teeth. I have talked to both the doctor and dentist and basically there is not much we can do about it at this point. They said they may out grow it--which is happening. My daughter only does it now if she is sick or stressed about something. But it is so irriating. Sometimes when it is particularly bad I will just wake her a little and that stops it for a while.

I have seen some that mentioned a mouth guard. My dentist said that for young kids he does not recommend it, so that is why we have not gone that route.

My 4-year-old daughter grinds her teeth at night too. She just had her third cleaning at the dentist last week and we talked about it there (again). He told me that most kids do grow out of it. Those that don't will need a guard, but that it isn't as much of an issue with their baby teeth as when their adult teeth start to come in. He also suggested that when we hear it happening we lighlty rub her jaw to soothe her to make her stop the grinding. It DOES work, although we are missing the majority of incidents, I'm sure. I'll be interested to see if she does, in fact, grow out of it. Good luck!!

My 7 year old also grinds her teeth. We have tried everything we can think of to try and get her to stop. We asked the dentist and they told us she would eventually outgrow this. I am not so sure about that because I have relatives that still grind their teeth one being 60 now. ;) She is going in to see the dentist again so I am going to ask yet again what can be done.

My oldest son, grinds his teeth horribly as well. He has done this since about 3 years old. Our dentist isn't worried about it because they are not his permanent teeth yet. But believe me,I can hear my son through two closed doors at night!!!

You've probably received this advice already, but just in case, I thought I'd tell you anyway. I have always been a teeth grinder myself and because I never did anything about it, I'm looking at having partial dentures and I'm only 28 so it is VERY important to prevent the damage. I assume at 4 you are taking your son to a dentist regularly but whether you have or haven't make him an appointment and get him fitted for a night guard. It pops in your mouth at night and is soft and cushiony so it prevents the damage and keeps the noise down! Other than that I don't think that there is much you can do. Some people are just grinders. Hope this helps!!

My younger brother was also a teeth grinder. Yes - it does sound horrible! And you are right, it is not good for the teeth. The dentist suggested that he wear a teeth guard at night (I'm not sure if that is the technical name for it, but that is basically what it is). It basically just fits over the teeth to protect them from the effects of the grinding. My brother started grinding his teeth once his permanent teeth came in - where as your child will eventually lose those baby teeth. I'd suggest talking to a dentist about it.

My daughter has the same problem and I was very worried about it as well. I have asked the dentist and her doctor and both of them said the only thing that can be done is to find her an outlet for stress because Stress is the reason they grind there teeth. Who knew that a 4 year old could have so much stress... They also said that she will grow out of it eventually.

My daughter does as well and her dentist said they don't really do anything til they have permanent teeth. If he continues to do this they can give him a nightguard he wears at night but only when they are older with permanent teeth. My daughter does this and it drives me nuts and I will slap her face lightly or stick my fingers in mouth nothing works for us. I know a friend from church who works at a orthodontist office and she said she could tell by looking at my daughter's teeth that she grinds kinda scared me.

Hi J.

This is a very common problem. At four years old he only has baby teeth, so you don't have to worry about permanent damage to his adult teeth. He could be grinding because he can feel the permanent teeth moving in to place under his baby teeth. There is really nothing you can do to stop him grinding as he is asleep and unaware he is doing it, just watch him as he gets older and if he continues to grind once his permanent teeth are in place then you may want to look into a mouth guard to prevent damage to his teeth and TMJ, until then don't worry. I would not recommend a mouth guard, I would be very worried about a 4 yrs old chocking on it, if you could even get him to wear it at all. I'm a dental hygenist and I've had many parent's comment on this problem but it usually goes away.
Good luck

my daughter is 4 also & we had a short time where she did this.I just massaged her jaw And that seems to take care of it. You can try that- It worked for her

My son (9) has been grinding for years...I am finally taking him in this week to have his tonsils and adenoids (sp?) checked. The dentist said he could be grinding in order to pop his ears?? Might be worth checking out...I know my sons teeth are really worn down. Ask a dentist/doctor?

I grind my teeth, and so does my 4 yr old daughter. I just spoke to her dentist about it. He said not to worry about it yet. She will probably need a mouth guard- but b/c she's so young, its not safe for her to have something in her mouth while she's sleeping.

One caution- sometimes her & I both get sores in our mouths, so if your son complains that brushing his teeth is painful- there may be some little sores inside his mouth. When that toothbrush hits one- it hurts pretty good. I always run our brushes under hot water to soften them up b4 I start brushing.

And as an adult- I sometimes have headaches in the morning. Something else to look out for. Good Luck-

My wild son is 4 & grinds his teeth also. His doctor said to get a mouth guard (like boxers use) for kids. That was impossible to get him to do. Unfortunatly I really dont have any advise I just wanted you to know that you are so not alone.