How To Stop Grinding Teeth For Children Naturally

Teeth grinding or bruxism is quite common in children while sleeping or under stress. The situation will go away on its own as the child grows, but in some cases, it can last into adulthood. 

This can cause pain in the jaw, headaches, and damage to the teeth. There are several ways to stop grinding teeth for children naturally.

1. Try Splint Therapy

One of the most effective ways to stop teeth grinding is to try splint therapy. A splint is a type of mouthguard that covers either the top or bottom teeth and prevents them from coming into contact with each other. This can help to reduce the amount of grinding and also protect the teeth from any further damage.

Your dentist will be able to fit you for a custom-made splint, or you can purchase one from a pharmacy. It’s important to make sure that the splint fits well so that it doesn’t cause any further damage to the teeth.

2. Change Some Sleeping Habits

If your child is grinding their teeth at night, there may be an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. This is when someone stops breathing for short periods of time while they are asleep. It can cause snoring and grinding of the teeth.

If you think that your child may have sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to their doctor so that they can be properly diagnosed and treated.

3. Treat and Prevent Dental Problems

If your child has any dental problems, such as cavities or gum disease, it’s important to have them treated as soon as possible. This may help to reduce the amount of grinding that they do.

Teach your child how to brush and floss their teeth properly so that they can avoid any future dental problems.

4. Relax Right Before Bedtime

Teeth grinding often occurs when children are under stress. To help reduce the amount of grinding, it’s important to make sure that your child is relaxed before bedtime. You can try having them take a warm bath, read them a story, or play soft music to help them relax.

5. Give Them a Stress Ball

If your child is stressed, one way to help them is to give them a stress ball to squeeze. This can help to release some of the tension that they are feeling and may help to reduce their teeth grinding.

You can also try other stress-relieving activities such as coloring, listening to music, or spending time in nature.

6. Practice Relaxation Techniques

If stress is the cause of your child’s teeth grinding, there are some relaxation techniques that can help to reduce it. This may include things like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.

7. Do Muscle Stretching Exercises

Jaw clenching is often the cause of teeth grinding. To help relax the muscles, there are some simple exercises that you can do.

One exercise is to place your thumb on one side of your jaw and then slowly open your mouth. You should feel a gentle stretch in the muscles. Hold this position for 10-15 seconds before repeating on the other side.

You can also try yawning or chewing gum to help relax the muscles. Just make sure that the gum is sugar-free so that it doesn’t damage the teeth.

8. Warm Compress

A warm compress can help to relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. This may help to stop teeth grinding.

To make a warm compress, soak a clean cloth in warm water. Squeeze out the excess water and then place it over the jaw for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this several times a day.

9. Avoid Chewy Foods

Chewy foods can put a lot of strain on the jaw muscles and teeth, which can lead to grinding. To help reduce the amount of grinding, it’s important to avoid giving your child chewy foods right before bedtime.

10. Eat Magnesium-Rich Food

Magnesium is a mineral that can help to relax the muscles and reduce stress. This may help to stop teeth grinding.

Some good sources of magnesium include dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fish. You can also take a magnesium supplement if you think you’re not getting enough from your diet.

11. Drink Turmeric Milk

Turmeric milk is a traditional Indian remedy that can help to stop teeth grinding. It’s thought to work by reducing inflammation and relaxing the muscles.

To make turmeric milk, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk. You can also add a little honey to sweeten it. Drink this before bedtime.

12. Talk to Your Child’s Dentist

If the methods above don’t seem to be helping, it’s important to talk to your child’s dentist. They may be able to suggest other treatments that can help reduce the amount of grinding. In some cases, they may also recommend that your child see a specialist for further treatment.

13. Keep a Grinding Diary

If you’re not sure what’s causing your child to grind their teeth, keeping a diary can help. For one week, write down when they grind their teeth, what they were doing at the time, and how they were feeling.

This can help to identify any patterns or triggers that may be causing the grinding. Once you know what’s causing it, you can start to look for ways to reduce or eliminate it.

Final Thought

Teeth grinding is a common problem, especially in children. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and misaligned teeth.

If your child is grinding their teeth, there are some things that you can do to help. This includes practicing relaxation techniques, wearing a mouthguard, and doing muscle stretching exercises. You can also try giving them a stress ball to squeeze or having them eat magnesium-rich foods.

If you’re not sure what’s causing your child to grind their teeth, keeping a diary can help. Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can start to look for ways to reduce or eliminate it.

You should also see a dentist if the problem persists or if your child starts to experience pain. The dentist can assess the situation and recommend the best course of treatment.

If the grinding is severe, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard or splint.

Whatever treatment you choose, it’s important to be patient and consistent. It may take some time to find what works best for your child, but with patience and perseverance, you can help them stop grinding their teeth.