My child grinds his teeth in the night. Does he have worms?

Worms having nothing do with your child grinding their teeth. “Bruxism” as it is called, it affects 2 to 3 out of 10 children.
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It is an involuntary behavior means, the child does it without realizing it. It goes away as the child grows but if it persists, your child may require professional help. One thing which all parents would agree to “It affects you more than your child. So need not worry.”It usually occurs after a child develops their first teeth and again after they develop their permanent teeth. It can occur during the day but usually occurs in clusters throughout the night when child is in deep sleep.

Why does it occur?

Theories abound but nothing concrete. Psychological, physiological and physical stressors are believed to give rise to it and in fact, rarely, some medicines might contribute to it. Some common stressors:

Psychological stress like anxiety, stress, anger, frustration or tension
Developmental disorders like intellectual disability/ autism
Aggressive, competitive or hyperactive temperament in children
Abnormal alignment of upper and lower teeth
Physical stressors like dehydration, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, transient illnesses
Other sleep problems, such as sleep apnea

If you don’t find any of the above, don’t try to unnecessary connect any of the above stressors to your child. Most often than not, you will find none.

What should the parents look out for?

Rather than the intensity or pitch of the teeth grinding, parents should look out for

Complaints of a sore jaw or face after waking up in the morning
Pain with chewing
Tooth pain/ Jaw muscle pain
Mouth and facial pain
Limited jaw movement
Damaged or worn teeth
Sore gums
Headaches

If any of the above, consult a pediatrician who may then refer you to a pediatric dentist/psychiatrist/psychologist if required.

What are the complications?

Children who grind their teeth are more susceptible to chipped teeth, facial pain, gum injury, and temperature sensitivity. In extreme cases, frequent, harsh grinding can lead to the early onset of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).The consequences of teeth grinding in children are often manifested in behavioral problems due to the constant nocturnal arousal.

Is it treatable?

Yes, bruxisme is treatable but treat if you find any of the above factors or complications coming up. It can be treated by mouth guards/dental correction if needed along with therapies to treat the underlying cause like relaxation techniques and behavior therapy.