Grinding teeth while sleeping

[destsbh]

Hi,

Recently, I noticed that my dd grinds her teeth at night when she sleeps but not during nap time. What causes grinding teeth? Is there anything I can do to help prevent that?

Your suggestion is much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Catherine12]

I grind my teeth in my sleep. I don't know what causes it. Over time, my teeth have acquired noticeable (to a dentist, anyway) wear because of this bad habit, and it also affects my jaw (my jaw clicks a lot and is sometimes painful) so it is a problem. I have a night-guard that I wear at night to prevent me from grinding. It's annoying but has helped a lot.

I don't think there really is anything you can do about this in a toddler. I wouldn't worry too much - it took me years of teeth-grinding before I had any problems. I would just be aware of it, and if she is still doing it when she is older talk to your dentist.

[Peacemamalove]

hi I am not 100% sure what causes teeth grinding. My son does it to but we have helped it some by having him tighten and relax his jaw right before bed. It is pretty easy to do I just have him make an angry face and then have him relax and have his tongue hang out. It can be quite fun .

The dentist recommended it and we have definitely seen improvement.

[mama1803]

Originally Posted by destsbh

Hi,

Recently, I noticed that my dd grinds her teeth at night when she sleeps but not during nap time. What causes grinding teeth? Is there anything I can do to help prevent that?

Your suggestion is much appreciated.

Thanks.

Teeth grinding is often due to a magnesium deficiency.

[K1329]

Does your dd have any stressors? I ask b/c my neighbor's dd lived in a stressful home and ground her teeth to nubs. Even her speech was affected! I would definitely explore this before she has any ill effects or it becomes more of a habit. If there are no stressors to eliminate, maybe it could be related to a vitamin issue. Hopefully, you'll get some more ideas. Good luck!

[2xy]

My 18yo son and I both grind our teeth, and we both have sleep disorders.

He had apnea that was treated via tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy when he was 13. He still grinds his teeth but it's nowhere nearly as bad as it used to be. He also has environmental allergies. He has been grinding his teeth since he was at least 2yo...it used to be loud enough to wake me in the other room.

I have PLMS/RLS. If I don't take my sleep meds, I grind my teeth. Glitchy nervous system, apparently. I do not have allergies.

[momasana]

My DS does this too. It sound awful! When I hear him doing it I will rub his jaw and whisper to him to relax his mouth and that almost always gets him to stop. But that is only if I hear him do it, who knows how much he does it while we're both asleep?


Interesting about magnesium definiciency...I had not heard that.

[COgirl19]

My DD does this too, not all the time but it makes me cringe. I may try some of these suggestions.

[Peacemamalove]

Originally Posted by momasana

M


Interesting about magnesium definiciency...I had not heard that.

me either does anyone have any info on this?