What To Do When Kids Are Grinding Their Teeth

Reviewed by  Monroe Elkin, BS PHARM., DMD

If your child is grinding their teeth, you might be wondering why. After all, teeth grinding is typically associated with considerable levels of stress – and what does a small child have to be stressed out about? The truth is that there are many potential causes of teeth grinding in children, and each situation might be slightly different. If you're wondering: “Why do kids grind their teeth at night?”, you might want to get your young one assessed by a medical professional.

In many ways, the “why” is not so important. What matters is how you address this problem. And the clear answer is the CustMbite Nightguard. Built with high-quality, comfortable, and customizable materials, this affordable nightguard can help reduce teeth grinding in children. Sometimes, it's more important to figure out the solution rather than asking yourself: “Why do kids grind their teeth at night?”   

Why do kids grind their teeth at night? Potential reasons 

There are a number of potential explanations if you're asking: “Why do kids grind their teeth at night?” One of the most common culprits is stress. Many parents forget that their children live in a stressful world filled with outside pressures, including social media and global pandemics. Academics and social dynamics at school can also lead to increased stress levels.

Another potential factor is autism. There is a well-established link between autism and teeth grinding. In fact, bruxism (the medical term for teeth grinding) can be especially severe among autism patients. 

Children may also grind their teeth if they are dealing with some other source of physical pain in their lives. And of course, bruxism can be caused by certain dental issues such as a misaligned bite. 

Why your kid grinding their teeth at night might be more serious than you think 

How bad is teeth grinding? Is it really such a big deal if you simply let this problem slide? The truth is that teeth grinding can become progressively worse, eventually potentially causing considerable tooth damage. When teeth become chipped, worn, and broken, they can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Not only that, but bruxism can contribute to TMJ disorder – commonly known as a “misaligned jaw.” Finally, teeth grinding is a painful experience for young ones, and it always makes sense to minimize pain whenever possible.

How can I stop teeth grinding in children?

If you're still asking yourself: “Why do kids grind their teeth at night?”, perhaps what you should really be asking yourself is: “What can I do to help?” The answer is simple: grab yourself a CustMbite nightguard. These oral appliances come in smaller kids' sizes for a better overall fit and maximized comfort. With soft, flexible Vistamaxx material and a low-profile design, your children will hardly even notice these nightguards as they sleep. 

Even better, the device is fully customizable for a snug fit that is completely personalized to each individual wearer. You can customize your child's CustMbite nightguard as often as you like – whether your child is getting braces, having braces removed, or growing new teeth.

If you're having trouble convincing your child to wear a nightguard to bed, you can also let them choose from a wide range of colors, including black, pink, blue, clear, and navy. 

Grab your CustMbite nightguard today 

If you've been wondering: “Why do kids grind their teeth at night?,” the more important question is “How can I help my child?” Fortunately, the answer is simple. Reach for a CustMbite Nightguard. This made-in-the-USA nightguard is an obvious choice to alleviate teeth grinding symptoms once and for all. Let your child experience the comfort and efficiency of an oral appliance that can actually provide results.