Many parents hear strange grinding sounds from their child’s room at night and get worried. Teeth grinding in kids, called bruxism, is fairly common and often goes unnoticed until someone hears it or a dentist spots wear on the teeth.
Children may grind for different reasons – teething discomfort, misaligned teeth, stress, anxiety, or just as a passing phase while their nervous system is still maturing. Some grind during sleep, others clench when concentrating hard or playing video games.
Signs to watch for include: grinding sounds at night, worn-down tooth edges, sensitivity to hot or cold, complaints of jaw or face pain in the morning, or frequent headaches. Often, mild grinding doesn’t cause serious long-term damage and gradually reduces as the child grows older.
However, if the grinding is loud, frequent, or causing visible tooth wear and pain, it’s worth discussing with a paediatric dentist. They will check bite, look for cavities or high spots on fillings, and ask questions about sleep, stress and daily routine. In some cases, a small night guard, behaviour changes, or stress management strategies are suggested.
Don’t panic, but don’t fully ignore it either. Early attention helps protect those little teeth and keeps your child comfortable, especially when permanent teeth start to appear.