Children who grind their teeth at night can produce a sound alarming enough to wake parents from sleep. For most children, it's a benign phase — but understanding what drives it and when to act makes the difference between appropriate watchfulness and missed intervention.
How Common Is It?
Bruxism is one of the most common sleep-related movement disorders in children, with prevalence estimates between 14–20% of school-age children. It tends to peak in early childhood and again in adolescence, with most cases resolving without treatment before adulthood.
What Contributes to Childhood Bruxism
The causes are multifactorial. In young children, teething and the eruption of new teeth are common triggers as the child explores the new bite sensation. Stress and anxiety — from school pressures, family changes, or emotional challenges — are strongly associated. Sleep-disordered breathing (mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep apnea) is a particularly important contributor, as it disrupts sleep architecture and is associated with significantly higher rates of bruxism in children. Certain medications and medical conditions also increase risk.
Managing Grinding in Children
For most children under 7, the approach is watchful waiting with monitoring at dental check-ups. Creating a calm, consistent bedtime routine, addressing anxiety, limiting screen time before bed, and encouraging nasal breathing all support better sleep and may reduce grinding. If a child snores, breathes primarily through their mouth, or wakes tired, a sleep and airway evaluation is warranted. For children with visible tooth wear or jaw symptoms, a custom night guard fabricated by a dentist provides protection during sleep.