Member Newsletter

By Dr. Lisa Knowles, MDwise Director of Dental Programs

It’s back to school time and that may mean changes in your household. Our schedules become tighter with earlier bedtimes, planned meal times and changes in personal health care such as bathing and grooming. These changes could increase stress levels for your child. Stress can lead to something called bruxism, or teeth grinding. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), tooth grinding or bruxism is the habitual and forceful unnatural contact between teeth when a child is awake or asleep.

Teeth grinding may not just be a sign of more stress. It could be due to a blocked airway, or it could be a symptom of a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disorder.

According to Mayo Clinic, “Gastroesophageal reflux disease happens when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus and causes heartburn. It's often called GERD for short. This backwash is known as acid reflux, and it can irritate the lining of the esophagus.”

Occasional acid reflux is normal, but repeated issues may be GERD and should be checked out by your child’s doctor.

Mayo clinic lists signs of GERD as the following:

A burning sensation in the chest, often called heartburn. Heartburn usually happens after eating and might be worse at night or while lying down.
Backwash of food or sour liquid in the throat.
Upper belly or chest pain.
Trouble swallowing, called dysphagia.
Sensation of a lump in the throat.

If you have nighttime acid reflux, you also might experience:

An ongoing cough.
Inflammation of the vocal cords, known as laryngitis.
New or worsening

Sleep obstruction is another possible cause of teeth grinding because a child is trying to move their jaw forward to let air pass through more easily. If your child snores or has sleep hypopnea (a sleep-related breathing event of shallow breathing), this may be another sign of a restricted airway.

If you hear your child grind their teeth at night (sleep bruxism), it’s time to consult with your dentist and doctor to find a reason for the cause. Many studies link poor sleep habits to increased levels of bruxism. Make sure your child avoids caffeine and screen time before bed. Ensure they have a quiet, darkened room to decrease disturbances. Adjust bedtime so your child gets enough sleep each night. Read below to find out how much sleep your child should get per night according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Sleep Recommendations by Age Group:

Infants* 4 months to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
Children 1 to 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

If your child is grinding their teeth, review sleep habits and causes of stress in their life. Discuss possible symptoms and causes of teeth grinding with your child’s dentist and doctor. Ask them to check for acid reflux, sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome if necessary. They can also suggest treatment options or ways to help your child at home.

Sources:

Sleep Bruxism in Children: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment—A Literature Review - PMC

IAPD Consensus Recommendations – IAPD

Evaluation of the association of bruxism, psychosocial and sociodemographic factors in preschoolers - PubMed

Sleep bruxism in children, from evidence to the clinic. A systematic review - PMC

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic