Teeth Grinding & Jaw Clenching · Quick answer
Why does my child grind their teeth?
The short answer
Usually, it's nothing to worry about. Grinding is very common in young children, happens most often during sleep, and the great majority outgrow it by their teens without any treatment. It tends to come and go with things like new teeth coming through or an unsettled patch. A dentist is worth a visit if the teeth look worn or your child has jaw or face pain, but for most families this is a phase rather than a problem.
At a glance
Hearing your child grind their teeth at night can be an unnerving sound, and plenty of parents lie awake wondering whether something is wrong.
The reassuring news is that childhood grinding is one of the more common and least alarming things a young body does at night. Here's what tends to lie behind it, and the handful of signs worth a closer look.
How common it is
Grinding, known medically as bruxism, is especially common in childhood. The Cleveland Clinic notes it is most common during childhood and adolescence, and Mayo Clinic adds that it usually eases by adulthood.
Because it mostly happens during sleep, exact numbers are hard to pin down, and many parents only notice it because they happen to hear it. If you want the prevalence figures and the studies behind them, our research page on bruxism statistics collects them.
Why young children grind
In children, grinding often lines up with the ordinary business of growing. New teeth pushing through, along with the odd cold or blocked nose, can coincide with a spell of grinding as the mouth and airway adjust.
Feelings play a part too. A big change like starting school, or an unusually exciting or stressful day, can show up as more grinding that night. As with adults, it's rarely down to one single cause, and it often settles once whatever nudged it has passed.
When it usually settles
For most children, grinding fades on its own. It tends to ease as the adult teeth come in and the jaw grows, and the majority have stopped by their teenage years without needing a guard or any active treatment.
Guards are used less often for children than for adults, partly because a child's mouth is still changing shape, so a fixed appliance can quickly stop fitting. If grinding is causing real problems, a dentist can advise what, if anything, is worth doing at your child's stage.
When to ask a dentist
Most childhood grinding needs nothing more than a mention at the next routine dental check. Mayo Clinic suggests flagging it at your child's next appointment rather than treating it as an emergency.
A few signs do warrant a closer look sooner rather than later, and they're listed just below. None of them is common, so try not to read the list as something to expect.
When to get help
Stress habits are common and usually manageable. Consider talking with a dentist, doctor, or mental-health professional if you notice any of the following:
- Visible wear, flattening, or chips on your child's teeth (see a dentist).
- Complaints of jaw pain, face pain, or headaches around waking.
- Loud grinding alongside snoring or pauses in breathing at night (talk to a doctor).
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad for my child's teeth if they grind at night?
For most children, occasional grinding does not cause lasting harm, and it eases as they grow. Persistent grinding can wear baby or adult teeth over time, so if you can see flattening or chips, mention it to a dentist. Otherwise, a routine dental check is usually enough to keep an eye on it.
Should I get my child a night guard?
Guards are used less often for children because a growing mouth changes shape and a fixed guard can stop fitting quickly. Whether one helps depends on your child's age and how much wear there is, so it's a question for your dentist rather than a default step.
Will my child grow out of grinding?
Most do. Grinding is common in early childhood and usually eases through the teenage years as the adult teeth and jaw settle. If it carries on well into adolescence, or is causing pain, it's worth asking a dentist to take a look.
Could my child's grinding be caused by stress?
It can be one contributor. An exciting or unsettling day sometimes shows up as more grinding that night, much as it can in adults. Grinding usually has several influences at once, though, from teething to a blocked nose, so stress is rarely the whole explanation.
Sources & further reading
The reputable organizations our editorial team draws on for the anatomy, definitions, and safety guidance behind this page, and where you can read more on each topic.
General educational information about stress and the nervous system. Not medical, dental, or psychological advice, and not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified professional.