Bruxism
Eugene, OR
 A parent hears an unfamiliar sound coming from their child's bedroom at night, a grinding, scraping noise that stops as soon as the door opens. For many families, this is the first sign that a child is dealing with bruxism, a condition far more common in childhood than most people realize. While it can be startling to witness, pediatric teeth grinding is usually manageable once it is identified and monitored properly.
How Common Is Bruxism in Children?
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching affect a significant percentage of children, often appearing between the ages of three and six as primary teeth continue to develop. Many children eventually outgrow the habit on their own as their permanent teeth come in and their bite stabilizes. That said, bruxism should never be dismissed without a proper evaluation, since some cases persist into adolescence or point to an underlying issue that needs attention.
Because teeth grinding typically happens during sleep, children themselves are rarely aware of it. Parents usually learn about it from the sound, from a sibling sharing a room, or from a dentist noticing wear patterns on the teeth during a checkup. Bringing any concerns to Higbee Family Dentistry allows Dr. Higbee to examine the teeth closely and determine whether treatment is needed.
What Causes Teeth Grinding in Young Children?
The exact cause of pediatric bruxism is not always clear, and in many cases it results from a combination of factors rather than a single trigger.
Common contributors include:
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Misalignment between upper and lower teeth as they erupt
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Discomfort from teething or an emerging tooth
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Ear infections or other minor illnesses
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Stress or excitement, even from positive events
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Airway or breathing concerns during sleep
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A developing nervous system still learning to regulate muscle activity |
In older children, stress related to school, family changes, or social situations can also play a role, similar to the way emotional tension contributes to teeth grinding in adults. Identifying a likely cause can help guide the right approach, whether that means simple observation or a referral for further evaluation.
Signs Parents Can Watch For
Beyond the audible grinding sound, there are physical signs that may indicate a child is clenching or grinding their teeth. These include complaints of jaw soreness or headaches upon waking, unusual sensitivity when eating certain foods, and visible flattening or wear on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Some children also bite their cheeks or the inside of their lips without realizing it. A dental exam can confirm whether these signs are related to bruxism or another cause entirely.
Parents sometimes worry that grinding will damage a child's baby teeth permanently, but because primary teeth are eventually replaced, most mild cases do not require intervention. The bigger concern arises when grinding continues after permanent teeth erupt, or when it appears alongside other symptoms such as snoring or restless sleep, which may point to a breathing-related issue rather than a purely dental one.
When Bruxism May Signal Something More
In some children, nighttime teeth grinding is connected to disrupted breathing during sleep. When the airway is partially obstructed, the body may respond by shifting the jaw or engaging the surrounding muscles, and teeth grinding can be one of the resulting behaviors. If a child snores regularly, breathes through their mouth, or seems tired despite a full night of sleep, it is worth mentioning these details during a dental visit, since they can help paint a more complete picture of what is happening overnight.
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, allergies, and other airway-related factors are common in children and can sometimes be addressed through simple interventions or referral to the appropriate specialist. Catching this connection early is one of the most valuable things a family dentist can do, since airway health affects far more than just the teeth.
How Bruxism Is Managed in Children
Treatment for pediatric bruxism depends heavily on the child's age, the severity of the grinding, and whether an underlying cause has been identified. In many mild cases, Dr. Higbee may simply recommend monitoring the situation at future visits, since the habit frequently resolves on its own as the child grows.
When teeth grinding is more frequent or causing visible wear, a soft, custom-fitted appliance may be recommended to protect the teeth during sleep. Addressing any underlying stress is also important; simple routines like a calming bedtime, reduced screen time in the evening, and open conversations about a child's day can ease anxiety-related teeth grinding. If an airway concern is suspected, Dr. Higbee may coordinate with a pediatrician or ENT specialist to look further into breathing during sleep.
Supporting Healthy Dental Development
Regular dental checkups play an important role in catching bruxism early and tracking how a child's bite and jaw develop over time. These visits give Dr. Higbee the opportunity to spot wear patterns before they become significant, discuss any new symptoms with parents, and adjust the approach as a child's teeth continue to change. Because so many children experience some degree of teeth grinding as part of normal development, the goal is rarely to eliminate every instance immediately, but rather to understand the pattern and intervene only when it is truly warranted.
What Parents Can Do at Home
Alongside professional monitoring, there are steps parents can take at home to help ease a child's teeth grinding, particularly when stress or anxiety appears to be a contributing factor. A predictable, calming bedtime routine can make a noticeable difference, especially for children who tend to feel overstimulated in the evening. Limiting screen time in the hour before bed, reading together, and giving a child space to talk through anything on their mind can reduce the tension that sometimes carries into sleep.
For children experiencing discomfort from teething, age-appropriate relief recommended by their pediatrician or our dentist may ease some of the associated teeth grinding. Keeping a simple log of when teeth grinding seems most frequent can also give Dr. Higbee useful information to work with at the next visit.
It is worth remembering that occasional teeth grinding is common in childhood and does not automatically signal a serious problem. The goal for most families is simply to stay observant, keep up with regular dental visits, and raise any new concerns as they come up, rather than assuming the worst at the first sign of a grinding noise.
If your child grinds their teeth at night or you have noticed jaw soreness, unusual wear, or disrupted sleep, the team at Higbee Family Dentistry is here to help. Schedule a visit today by calling (541) 342-1187, and let us work with you to keep your child's smile healthy through every stage of growth.
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