Teeth Grinding in Children: Causes, When to Worry & What Helps

Editorially reviewed by the Dental.me Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

If you have heard an unsettling grinding or crunching sound coming from your child’s room at night, you are not alone. Teeth grinding in children is extremely common, and for most families it is a passing phase rather than a lasting problem. The medical term is bruxism, and in young children it usually shows up during sleep. The good news is that the large majority of kids outgrow it on their own as their baby teeth fall out and their permanent teeth and jaws settle into place. Still, it helps to understand why grinding happens, what signs deserve a closer look, and the handful of situations where a visit to the dentist is worthwhile.

Is teeth grinding in children normal?

Yes. Grinding and clenching are common in childhood, and many kids grind their teeth at some point, most often while they sleep. Parents usually notice it before the child does, because the child is asleep and unaware. In most cases it causes no lasting harm, and it tends to fade as children lose their baby teeth and their bite develops.

Because baby teeth are temporary, some wear on them from grinding often has no long-term effect on the permanent teeth that follow. This is one reason dentists frequently take a watch-and-wait approach with young children rather than jumping straight to treatment. That said, “common and usually harmless” is not the same as “always fine,” so it is worth knowing what to look for. For a broader look at grinding across all ages, our guide to teeth grinding and bruxism covers the bigger picture.

Why do kids grind their teeth?

The honest answer is that the causes of childhood grinding are still not fully understood, and often no single reason is found. Researchers and dentists point to several factors that seem to play a role, sometimes alone and sometimes in combination:

• New teeth and teething discomfort. Grinding sometimes appears when new teeth are erupting or when a child’s bite is still developing and the upper and lower teeth do not yet line up comfortably.
• Stress, anxiety, or big changes. Just like adults, children can carry tension into sleep. A new sibling, a move, starting school, or other big changes can coincide with more grinding.
• Airway and breathing issues. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids and sleep-disordered breathing (such as snoring or brief pauses in breathing) have been linked to grinding in some children.
• Pain elsewhere. An earache, teething pain, or other discomfort can prompt a child to grind or clench.
• Certain conditions. Grinding is reported more often in some children with hyperactivity or particular medical or developmental conditions, and occasionally acid reflux is a factor.

Because the picture varies so much from child to child, the most useful thing a parent can do is observe patterns rather than assume one specific cause.

Signs your child grinds their teeth

Many children show no symptoms at all beyond the sound itself. When signs do appear, they can include:

• A grinding, clicking, or crunching sound during sleep that parents hear from another room
• Worn, flattened, or chipped baby teeth
• Jaw, face, or cheek soreness, especially in the morning
• Headaches around the temples on waking
• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
• Disrupted or restless sleep

If your child complains of any of these, or if you notice the teeth looking worn, it is worth mentioning at the next dental check. Keeping a simple note of when the grinding happens and any complaints gives the dentist useful context.

When to worry and see a dentist

Most grinding does not need treatment, but a few situations are worth having checked by a dentist, ideally a pediatric dentist who works with children every day. Consider booking a visit if you notice:

• Visible tooth wear, flattening, chips, or damage
• Ongoing pain or tooth sensitivity
• Your child regularly complaining about their jaw, face, or teeth
• Signs of sleep-disordered breathing, such as loud snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping, or persistent mouth breathing

That last point matters. If grinding comes alongside snoring or breathing pauses, it is worth raising with your dentist and pediatrician, because the breathing pattern, not the grinding itself, may be the thing to address. A dentist can examine the teeth and bite, and a pediatrician or ENT specialist can look at the tonsils, adenoids, and airway if needed.

How teeth grinding in children is managed

For many children, the plan is simply to monitor, because they are likely to outgrow it. When action is taken, it usually focuses on the possible triggers rather than the grinding itself:

• A calming bedtime routine. Winding down with a bath, quiet reading, and a consistent sleep schedule can ease tension that carries into sleep.
• Reducing stress. Talking through worries and easing pressure around big changes can help some children who grind in response to anxiety.
• Staying hydrated and comfortable. Making sure your child is well hydrated and free of pain supports better sleep.
• Treating pain, earache, or reflux. If an earache, teething, or reflux seems to be a factor, addressing it with your pediatrician may reduce the grinding.
• Checking the airway. If snoring, mouth breathing, or enlarged tonsils are part of the picture, your pediatrician or an ENT can evaluate whether the airway needs attention.

What about a night guard? In young children, a custom night guard is used less often than in adults, because a child’s mouth is still growing and their teeth are still changing, so a guard may not fit for long. For most kids, dentists prefer to watch and wait. In cases of significant tooth wear, a dentist may consider a guard or other option and will advise based on your child’s stage of development. If you are curious how these appliances work and what they run for older kids and adults, see our overview of how much a night guard costs, and our guide on how to stop grinding your teeth for approaches that apply more to teens and adults.

What not to do

A few things are worth avoiding. Do not scold or wake your child for grinding; they are asleep and cannot control it, and being woken only disrupts their rest. Do not buy an adult, boil-and-bite mouthguard and use it on a young child without a dentist’s guidance, since a poor fit can affect a developing bite or become a choking hazard. And try not to panic over the sound alone. In most cases it reflects a normal developmental phase, not a sign that something is seriously wrong. Grinding is also different from other childhood oral habits like thumb sucking, which affects the teeth in its own way and is managed differently.

When grinding continues into the permanent teeth

Because most children stop grinding as their baby teeth are replaced, ongoing grinding once the permanent teeth are in is worth a closer look. It does not automatically mean trouble, but a dentist can check for wear on the new adult teeth and talk through options if grinding persists. Older children and teens are also better candidates for a night guard than toddlers, since their mouths are closer to fully grown.

The bottom line for parents: teeth grinding in children is common, usually harmless, and most kids grow out of it. Keep an eye on the teeth for wear, note any pain or complaints, and watch for snoring or breathing pauses that would be worth checking. If any of those show up, or if grinding continues into the permanent teeth, a dentist can take a look and put your mind at ease. In the meantime, a calm bedtime routine and a little patience go a long way.

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