Child grinding teeth: what's normal, what to do and when to see a dentist

Child grinding teeth in sleep is common, and most children grow out of it. A paediatric dentist at the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) says one in three children do it, and most have no other problems with their teeth. You usually don't need to stop it. Mention it at the next dental check-up, and see a doctor if the grinding comes with loud snoring, gasping or pauses in breathing.

What to do when your child grinds their teeth, step by step

1. Listen for a few nights and note how often you hear it. Ask a grandparent or helper who does bedtime too. Raising Children Network says children don't usually wake from their own grinding.
2. Listen for snoring as well. Raising Children Network says to see your GP if your child grinds and also snores loudly, breathes with the mouth open, or chokes or gasps in sleep.
3. Look at the teeth in good light. Flat, chipped or worn-down edges are worth showing the dentist.
4. Ask your child if anything hurts. A sore jaw, face or ear, a headache, or teeth that sting with cold or sweet food are reasons to book the dentist sooner.
5. Give your child some quiet wind-down time before bed. The NDCS dentist says some parents find this helps. Our toddler sleep guide shows how to settle your child, step by step.
6. Talk about worries in the day, such as starting preschool or a new class. Better Health lists emotional stress and anxiety among the main causes in children.
7. Tell the dentist at the next check-up. HealthHub says the school dental programme checks children in Primary 1, 3 and 5.
8. Leave night guards to the dentist. The NDCS dentist says paediatric dentists seldom recommend them while a child's teeth are still growing and changing.
9. Tell the doctor if your child takes a regular medicine. Better Health lists some medicines, such as antidepressants, among the causes in children. Don't stop a medicine on your own.

Why children grind their teeth

Often nobody can say. Raising Children Network says no one knows for sure why children grind, and the NDCS dentist calls the usual reasons educated guesses. Grinding in sleep has a name: nocturnal bruxism. These are the causes the sources name.

• Pain from teeth coming through, which Better Health lists for children. For a baby, our teething guide and baby teeth chart show what's coming and when.
• Loose baby teeth as the adult teeth come in, says the NDCS dentist.
• Stress and worry. Better Health names emotional stress and anxiety, and the NDCS dentist adds a very busy, active day.
• Breathing problems in sleep. NUHS says several studies link sleep grinding with obstructive sleep apnoea, where the airway keeps narrowing in sleep.
• Some medicines, such as antidepressants and anti-psychotics, says Better Health.
• Some health conditions. Better Health names cerebral palsy and ADHD, and the NDCS dentist mentions conditions of the brain or nerves in a small number of children.
• Top and bottom teeth that don't line up, or pain somewhere else in the body, says Raising Children Network.

It can also run in families. The NDCS dentist says there's a small chance a child grinds if a parent does. Some children grind in the day too, just because they like the feeling, says Raising Children Network. If your child often complains of aching legs, our guide to growing pains in children covers that. For worries about a new start, see easing separation anxiety.

Is the grinding hurting your child's teeth?

Usually not. Raising Children Network says that in most cases grinding doesn't damage children's teeth. Better Health says children's teeth and jaws change and grow so fast that it isn't usually a damaging habit, and most children outgrow it.

Some wear on the baby teeth is common. The NDCS dentist says dentists aren't too concerned, because these teeth fall out anyway. The exception is wear that's heavy and makes the teeth sensitive. NUHS explains why: once the outer enamel wears down, the layer underneath is exposed. That can bring a short, sharp pain with cold, sour or sweet food. So watch the teeth and how your child feels, not just the noise.

What you notice and what to do

KKH says not every child who snores has sleep apnoea. Our guide to toddler snoring covers simple snoring, the sleep study and treatment.

Night guards and other treatment

Most children need no treatment. Raising Children Network says you usually don't need to try to stop the grinding. Devices that protect the teeth can help, but they're not always needed, and your dentist will advise.

The NDCS dentist says paediatric dentists seldom recommend a mouthguard while the teeth are still growing and changing. Better Health says the plan for a child depends on how worn the teeth are, the child's age, the symptoms and what the family needs. A dentist is best placed to judge, and NUHS says dentists check the cause and how bad the wear is before suggesting anything. Even when a splint is used, Better Health notes it eases the symptoms rather than stopping the grinding.

The dentist may also ask about breathing in sleep, which Better Health lists as a risk factor to check. If a doctor suspects sleep apnoea, KKH says your child will be referred to a paediatric sleep specialist and an overnight sleep study.

Dental check-ups in Singapore

A child who grinds but is otherwise well can wait for the routine check-up. Bring it up there.

• School dental clinics. HealthHub says the Youth Preventive Dental Service gives free dental screening and basic care through school and mobile dental clinics. Check-ups are in Primary 1, 3 and 5 and Secondary 1 and 3, with parental consent at Primary 1 and Secondary 1. Tell the dental therapist about the grinding.
• Polyclinics. SingHealth Polyclinics offers paediatric dentistry for ages 0 to 18, by appointment only, at its Bedok, Eunos, Pasir Ris, Punggol and Tampines clinics.
• Private dentists. HealthHub says you can see a private dentist of your choice for a sooner visit, at your own cost.

Our guide to kids' dental care in Singapore compares these options and covers brushing by age. Tell grandparents and helpers what to listen for, so whoever does bedtime can tell you about snoring or gasping.

When to see a doctor

Grinding on its own is something for the dentist. These signs need a doctor or a dentist sooner.

• Your child looks pale, ashen or blue, or has difficulty breathing. KKH lists both as emergencies, so call 995.
• Pauses in breathing during sleep, or snorting and gasping noises (KKH).
• Laboured breathing in sleep, with the chest sucking in (KKH).
• Grinding with loud snoring or breathing through an open mouth (Raising Children Network).
• Trouble waking up, or a lot of sleepiness in the day (KKH).
• Jaw, face or ear pain, or teeth that are worn or sensitive. Start with the dentist (Better Health).

For the breathing signs, start with your GP or a polyclinic doctor. KKH says a family or polyclinic doctor is the right place for a non-emergency problem, and can refer your child to KKH if needed. For an emergency, KKH says to go to the nearest children's emergency department, such as KKH or NUH Children's Emergency, or call 995. To find a children's doctor near you, use our paediatrician map.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for a child to grind their teeth at night?

Yes, it's common. The NDCS dentist says one in three children do it, and most have no other dental complaints despite the noise. Better Health says parents often hear it while their children sleep.

Why does my toddler grind their teeth?

Often there's no clear reason. Better Health lists pain from teeth coming through, stress and anxiety, some medicines and some health conditions. If your toddler also snores loudly or gasps in sleep, see your GP.

Will my child grow out of teeth grinding?

Most do. The NDCS dentist says most children outgrow the habit, and Better Health says the same. A small number keep grinding as adults, so keep up the dental check-ups.

Does my child need a night guard for teeth grinding?

Usually not. The NDCS dentist says paediatric dentists seldom recommend mouthguards for children whose teeth are still growing and changing. Your dentist decides, based on the wear, your child's age and the symptoms.

Can teeth grinding be a sign of sleep apnoea?

It can go with it. NUHS says several studies link sleep grinding with obstructive sleep apnoea. Listen for snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping or mouth breathing, and see your GP if you notice them.

Can stress cause teeth grinding in children?

It can play a part. Better Health lists emotional stress and anxiety as a main risk factor in children, and the NDCS dentist mentions stress and a very active day. Quiet time before bed and a chance to talk about worries may help.