My Kid Grinds Their Teeth at Night, Should I Be Worried?

Posted on July 7, 2026

Ever hear a low, grinding sound coming from your sleeping child’s mouth? The good news is that tooth grinding in children, called bruxism, is far more common than most parents realize. The less good news is that “common” doesn’t necessarily mean “harmless,” and what you do about it depends a lot on your child’s age and how often they grind their teeth.

Why Do Kids Grind Their Teeth?

There isn’t a single explanation for teeth grinding. In toddlers and preschoolers, grinding is usually just part of how they explore and adjust to new teeth coming in. The bite feels different, and the jaw responds by working out the sensation. It usually resolves on its own once the teeth settle.

 

In older children, things get more complex. Stress and anxiety are major contributors. Kids process a lot (school, changes at home, etc.), and grinding can happen because of that. Sleep disruptions like apnea or restless sleep are also associated with bruxism, which is one reason it’s worth mentioning to your pediatric dentist, even if you think your child is fine.

 

Some children grind just because of how their teeth fit together, which may mean that they could benefit from braces or aligners.

What Does Bruxism Do to the Teeth?

The concern with grinding is the wear. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but it’s not renewable. Grinding wears it down, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

 

In mild cases, you won’t see much. In more persistent cases, you’ll start to notice the biting surfaces of the teeth looking flatter than they should, or your child may mention that their teeth feel sensitive to hot and cold. Jaw soreness in the morning, headaches, and clicking in the jaw joint are other signs that the grinding is becoming a problem.

 

Baby teeth are more vulnerable to wear than permanent ones, but they’re temporary. The situation’s different when permanent teeth start coming in, and that’s when your dentist will be watching more closely.

When to Get Grinding Checked

A good rule of thumb is to mention any nighttime grinding at your child’s next cleaning, no matter how mild it seems. Your pediatric dentist can look at the wear patterns on your child’s teeth and tell you more in sixty seconds than any amount of overnight monitoring on your end.

 

If the grinding is frequent and audible, if your child wakes up with a sore jaw, or if you’ve noticed visible wear on the teeth, call us today and get it evaluated.

How Do You Treat Bruxism?

For younger children, treatment is usually just watchful waiting. Your dentist monitors the wear, asks about sleep quality and stress, and gets involved only if the situation progresses. For older kids with significant grinding, a custom night guard is the most common solution. It doesn’t stop the grinding, but it keeps the teeth from grinding on each other.

 

Learning how to deal with stress, establishing better sleep routines, less screen time before bed, and making space for your child to talk about what’s on their mind can all help.

 

Bruxism is one of those things that sounds alarming and usually isn’t, but it can cause damage in some cases. Let your dentist take a look, that’s what we’re here for.