As parents, you might have faced concerns over your child grinding the teeth every once in a while. Teeth grinding in children can be a normal response to jaw growth, and will usually resolve on its own over time.
However, in certain cases, it can indicate more serious problems with your child’s dentition and airway. To identify if your child grinds the teeth, usually the first indication to look for is the teeth grinding noise created by the kid during sleep. You may also notice the teeth of your child getting shorter over time.
To arrive at a more conclusive diagnosis, you should have your child assessed by a dentist. In some situations, an assessment by an inter-disciplinary team of doctors may also be required.
Many children may not even require any treatment. Children usually outgrow grinding their teeth between the ages of 9 and 12. If, however, other signs and symptoms are observed such as upper airway obstruction, chronic snoring, enlarged adenoids, or wear of permanent teeth, further evaluation is necessary. At that point, an appropriate referral must be made to the ENT or a pulmonology clinic, to ensure the child receives necessary and appropriate care.