Should I be worried about my child grinding his teeth?

Pediatric Dentist Michelle Kelman, DDS, shares advice for parents on whether you should worry about your child's teeth grinding, what causes children to grind teeth at night, and how common it is for children
Should Parents Worry About Child Grinding Teeth At Night
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Should I be worried about my child grinding his teeth?

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Grinding is very common in children, however, it is a huge concern for parents. Parents come in and they quietly whisper, "He's grinding, is he okay?" About 80 percent of children grind. It could be because of the way they bite their teeth together, it could be because of the muscular structure inside. Some children grind when they have a dry mouth to try and stimulate saliva in there. There is a variety of reasons. If your child is grinding their teeth at night, it is completely normal. It should go away by age 11 or at least when more of the permanent teeth come in. If it hasn't stopped by the time their permanent teeth come in, then it's best to get evaluated by your pediatric dentist to see what measures can be take to help protect those teeth and your TMJ.

Pediatric Dentist Michelle Kelman, DDS, shares advice for parents on whether you should worry about your child's teeth grinding, what causes children to grind teeth at night, and how common it is for children

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Michelle Kelman, DDS

Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Michelle M. Kelman is a specialist in pediatric and adolescent dentistry for healthy children and children with complex medical history. Dr. Michelle is on the Pediatric Surgical Team and Craniofacial Team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and on faculty at the UCLA School of Dentistry, Pediatrics. Dr. Michelle has lectured internationally and taught continuing education courses on topics including pediatric patient behavior management and advancements in pediatric dentistry. These advancements include everything from equipment technology to introducing complementary and alternative therapies for your child's health needs. Active in the community, Dr. Michelle has offered numerous pediatric oral healthcare presentations to community groups, professional organizations and various healthcare professionals around the country with a special emphasis on pediatric behavior management and dental treatment using both traditional and natural methods for children with various medical conditions.

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Transcription: 
Grinding is very common in children, however, it is a huge concern for parents. Parents come in and they quietly whisper, "He's grinding, is he okay?" About 80 percent of children grind. It could be because of the way they bite their teeth together, it could be because of the muscular structure inside. Some children grind when they have a dry mouth to try and stimulate saliva in there. There is a variety of reasons. If your child is grinding their teeth at night, it is completely normal. It should go away by age 11 or at least when more of the permanent teeth come in. If it hasn't stopped by the time their permanent teeth come in, then it's best to get evaluated by your pediatric dentist to see what measures can be take to help protect those teeth and your TMJ.