Quick answer: many children grind their teeth at some stage, and Raising Children Network says it is generally nothing to worry about and most children outgrow it. The cause is not fully understood. Stress, misaligned teeth and teething are commonly suggested. See a dentist or doctor if your child has jaw pain, morning headaches, worn teeth, or signs of a breathing problem at night such as loud snoring or gasping.
Quick Fix / Summary
- Most grinding in young children does not need treatment
- Mention it at the next dental check so the dentist can look for tooth wear
- Talk with your child about worries and use a calming bedtime routine
- Watch for loud snoring, open-mouth breathing or gasping, which should be checked
- Ask a dentist about a mouth guard only if grinding is causing problems
Who This Is For
- You hear your child grinding or gnashing their teeth in their sleep
- You want to know if it will damage their teeth
- You wonder whether it signals stress or a breathing problem
This page is about children. For grinding in adults, see our guide to bruxism at night.
How Common Is It?
Estimates vary, so we quote each source separately rather than blending them. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) says an estimated 3 out of 10 children grind their teeth before age 5 and most stop by age 6. Sleep Foundation cites studies estimating that anywhere from 6% to nearly 50% of children grind at night, with ages 7 to 10 most commonly affected. Raising Children Network says many children grind their teeth at some stage.
The wide range is a reminder that these are estimates. The common thread is that it is frequent in childhood. A systematic review in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (Manfredini et al., 2013) reported sleep bruxism prevalence in children between 3.5% and 40.6%. Its authors noted methodological weaknesses in the studies, including reliance on parent reports, which limit how far any single figure can be trusted.
Why Children Grind Their Teeth
The exact cause is unclear, according to both Raising Children Network and CHOP. Possible contributors named by these sources include:
- Teething and misaligned teeth. CHOP says these commonly cause grinding in younger children. Raising Children Network also lists misaligned upper and lower teeth.
- Stress and anxiety. All three sources mention stress or anxiety. Sleep Foundation describes it as closely linked.
- Pain elsewhere in the body. Raising Children Network lists this as a possibility.
- Sleep and breathing problems. Sleep Foundation lists sleep disorders and breathing-related issues, and Raising Children Network flags sleep apnea signs (covered below).
- Family history and other factors. Sleep Foundation says grinding can run in families and notes links with conditions such as ADHD, migraines and autism spectrum disorder, and with exposure to secondhand smoke. A link is not proof that one causes the other.
CHOP notes there is no connection between grinding and behavioral disorders, so it is not a sign that your child is acting out.
Grinding and Sleep Apnea
Raising Children Network says grinding itself is typically harmless but that accompanying signs may indicate sleep apnea: loud snoring, open-mouth breathing during sleep, and choking or gasping sounds. If you notice these, speak to your doctor or dentist so sleep apnea can be ruled out. For background, see what sleep apnea is and when to see a doctor, why people snore and mouth breathing at night.
What You Can Do
Raising Children Network says no action is needed in most cases and that devices to protect teeth or prevent grinding can help but are not always necessary. Practical steps from CHOP and Sleep Foundation:
- Look for stress. CHOP suggests talking with your child about what is on their mind and problem-solving together.
- Calm the bedtime routine. CHOP suggests ideas such as a warm shower, music, deep breathing or reading. Our guide to children’s sleep by age has more on routines.
- See the dentist. Sleep Foundation says dentists can fit a night guard or splint, and CHOP mentions a custom-fitted mouth guard if needed. This is a decision for the dentist, not something to buy off the shelf without advice.
- Avoid hard foods. Sleep Foundation lists this among additional strategies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting for tooth damage before mentioning it. Bring it up at routine dental visits.
- Treating grinding as a behavior problem. CHOP says there is no link with behavioral disorders.
- Missing the breathing signs. Loud snoring, open-mouth breathing and gasping alongside grinding deserve a check.
When to See a Dentist or Doctor
Based on CHOP, Sleep Foundation and Raising Children Network, book a visit if your child has:
- Regular jaw soreness or morning headaches
- Worn, chipped or sensitive teeth
- Loud snoring, open-mouth breathing or gasping or choking sounds during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Grinding that is loud enough to cause problems, for example at sleepovers (CHOP)
CHOP says persistent grinding that warrants concern is more typical in children older than six.
FAQ
Is it normal for a child to grind their teeth at night?
Yes. Raising Children Network says many children grind their teeth at some stage and it is generally nothing to worry about. CHOP says an estimated 3 out of 10 children do it before age 5.
Will my child grow out of it?
Most do. Raising Children Network says most children outgrow it without treatment, and CHOP says most stop by age 6.
Does teeth grinding mean my child is stressed?
Not necessarily. Stress and anxiety are among the possible triggers listed by the sources, but so are teething and misaligned teeth, and the exact cause is often unclear.
Can grinding be a sign of sleep apnea?
It can come with it. Raising Children Network says to watch for loud snoring, open-mouth breathing or choking and gasping sounds during sleep, and to speak to a doctor or dentist if you see them.
Does my child need a mouth guard?
Not always. Raising Children Network says protective devices can help but are not always necessary. A dentist can advise if your child’s teeth are being damaged.
Key Takeaways
Teeth grinding is common in children and most outgrow it. The cause is often unclear, with stress, teething and misaligned teeth among the possibilities. Mention it to your dentist, support a calm bedtime, and get a check if there is jaw pain, headaches, tooth wear, or loud snoring, open-mouth breathing or gasping at night.
About this article
Written by the Sleep Fixes editorial team. We’re not medical professionals. We research each topic against primary sources and hold ourselves to being critical and thorough about what actually makes it onto the site.
This article is part of Sleep Fixes, a site focused on practical, easy-to-follow solutions for common sleep problems.
The content draws on guidance from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Sleep Foundation and Raising Children Network, and on a 2013 systematic review in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.
It is not medical advice. If your symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening, consider consulting a qualified healthcare professional.