Teeth Grinding
September 5, 2025

Overview

Teeth grinding is called bruxism in medical terms. It is a condition where a person clenches, squeezes, or rubs their teeth together. Generally, newborn babies may grind their teeth during their teething stage, which helps them explore their teeth and relieve the pain of swollen, tender gums. Between 3–7 years, teeth grinding is common due to the development of teeth and nervous system development.

In medical terms, when a child grinds their teeth, it’s called paediatric bruxism, and in adults, it is simply called bruxism. If a child grinds their teeth during sleep, it’s called sleep bruxism, which is related to sleep movement disorders. Some people are unaware of sleep bruxism until they develop tooth or jaw problems.

Teeth Grinding Symptoms

Common symptoms of Teeth Grinding include:

  1. Audible teeth grinding or clenching – a harsh, grinding sound during sleep or while awake, often noticed by bed partners or family members.
  2. Flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose teeth – visible changes in tooth shape or stability due to constant pressure and rubbing.
  3. Worn tooth enamel – gradual wearing down of the tooth surface, which may expose the softer inner layers (dentin), making teeth more vulnerable to decay.
  4. Tooth pain or sensitivity – discomfort when chewing, or sharp pain when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods.
  5. Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw – stiffness in the jaw after waking up, and in severe cases, difficulty in fully opening or closing the mouth.
  6. Enlarged jaw muscles – jaw muscles may appear more prominent or bulky over time due to repeated clenching.
  7. Pain that feels like an earache – dull or sharp pain around the ear area, even though there is no actual ear infection or ear-related problem.
  8. Headaches, especially around the temples – frequent headaches that usually start in the temples and may worsen in the morning after a night of grinding.
  9. Sleep disturbances – disrupted sleep for the person with bruxism and sometimes for others nearby, leading to daytime fatigue or irritability.

👉 Consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms due to teeth grinding.

Causes

  1. Children may grind their teeth when stressed or angry.
  2. Grinding may occur during sleep due to disturbances or night terrors.
  3. Some children may have teeth or jaw alignment issues.
  4. Teeth grinding can also be a symptom of neurodevelopmental disorders such as sensory processing disorder, autism, ADHD, or anxiety.

Risk Factors

People are more likely to develop bruxism if they have one or more of the following risk factors:

  1. Age – More common in children (ages 3–7), though adults can also be affected.
  2. Family History – Having a parent or sibling with sleep bruxism increases risk.
  3. Personality Traits – Competitive, hyperactive, or aggressive personalities are more prone.
  4. Lifestyle Habits – Frequent use of caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine heightens the risk.
  5. Medical & Psychological Conditions – Stress, anxiety, ADHD, autism, and other neurological disorders.
  6. Sleep Issues & Medications – Sleep apnea, snoring, or use of certain drugs (like antidepressants).

Teeth Grinding Treatment

  1. Sensory processing disorder – Provide oral massage, use an oral vibrating brush, or give chewing necklaces/cubes to effectively reduce sensory-seeking behaviors.
  2. Anxiety or anger – Practice controlled breathing exercises or use Habit Reversal Training (HRT) techniques to calm the mind and redirect emotional tension away from jaw clenching.
  3. Jaw relaxation – Practice placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth and loosening the jaw muscles to actively prevent teeth grinding.
  4. Cerebral palsy or developmental delay – Strengthen weaker oral muscles and correct poor posture with structured oral motor exercises such as blowing and sucking.
  5. Oral motor skill improvement – Engage in playful activities like blowing bubbles, whistles, or candles to enhance oral strength and coordination.

Complications

Bruxism usually has no major complications, but if it becomes severe, it can lead to:

  1. Damage to teeth, jaw, or dental work such as fillings and crowns.
  2. Tension-type headaches.
  3. Severe facial or jaw pain.
  4. Pain in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located in front of the ears, which may worsen when opening or closing the mouth.

Every problem has a solution, and every cause has a cure. What matters most is following the remedies with routine and consistency. By doing so, teeth grinding in children can be managed and controlled.

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