If you’ve ever noticed your child grinding their teeth at night, you might dismiss it as a common childhood habit that they’ll eventually outgrow. However, teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, can actually be your child’s body signaling a deeper issue with their breathing and airway function. Understanding this connection is crucial for parents who want to address not just the symptoms but the underlying cause of their child’s nighttime teeth grinding.
At Airway Dental and More, Dr. Neil K. Stevenson has dedicated his practice to helping families understand the intricate relationship between airway health and dental development. With years of experience in pediatric airway dentistry, our team recognizes that teeth grinding in children is often far more than a simple habit; it’s frequently a sign that your child’s airway may be compromised during sleep.
Understanding Teeth Grinding in Children
Teeth grinding affects a significant portion of children, with studies showing that as many as 49% of children experience bruxism at some point during their development. While occasional teeth grinding might not cause immediate concern, persistent bruxism can lead to:
- Worn tooth surfaces
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Disrupted sleep patterns for both children and their parents
These effects can significantly impact your child’s comfort, development, and overall quality of life if left untreated.
The Airway Connection
The relationship between airway obstruction and teeth grinding is rooted in the body’s survival instincts. When children experience breathing difficulties during sleep, their bodies naturally attempt to open the airway through various mechanisms. One of these mechanisms involves moving the lower jaw forward, which can result in teeth grinding as the jaw muscles work to maintain an open airway position.
This connection becomes clearer when we examine the anatomy of the upper airway. The tongue, soft palate, and surrounding tissues all play crucial roles in maintaining proper airflow during sleep. When these structures are enlarged, positioned incorrectly, or when the airway space is naturally narrow, children may unconsciously grind their teeth as their body attempts to create more breathing space.
Common Causes of Airway Obstruction in Children
Several factors can contribute to airway obstruction in children, many of which directly correlate with increased teeth grinding incidents:
Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids represent one of the most common causes of airway restriction in children. These lymphoid tissues, when swollen or naturally large, can significantly block the airway during sleep, leading to breathing difficulties that trigger compensatory behaviors like teeth grinding.
Tongue Tie
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight or thick. This condition can affect breathing, oral development, and proper tongue rest posture, all of which contribute to airway compromise and subsequent bruxism.
High-Arched Palate
A high-arched palate is often a developmental consequence of improper tongue rest posture and function. When the palate is too narrow or high, it can restrict nasal breathing and contribute to airway obstruction, particularly during sleep when muscle tone naturally decreases.
Chronic Mouth Breathing
Chronic mouth breathing develops when children cannot breathe effectively through their nose due to congestion, structural abnormalities, or enlarged adenoids. Mouth breathing during sleep can lead to airway collapse and the compensatory grinding of teeth.
Recognizing the Signs of Teeth Grinding in Children
Parents should be aware of several signs that their child’s teeth grinding might be related to airway issues. Beyond the obvious sound of grinding teeth at night, watch for:
- Frequent awakening
- Restless sleep
- Bedwetting in older children
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Complaints of morning headaches or jaw pain.
Children with airway-related bruxism may also exhibit behavioral changes such as irritability, hyperactivity, or difficulty focusing in school. These symptoms often result from poor sleep quality caused by repeated airway obstruction throughout the night.
Treatment Options for Bruxism at Airway Dental and More
At our practice, we take an integrated approach to addressing teeth grinding that stems from airway obstruction. Our evaluation process includes an examination of your child’s oral and facial development, breathing patterns, and sleep quality. We utilize advanced diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography scans, rhinometry, and pharyngometry, to assess the anatomical structures affecting your child’s airway.
Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic appliances such as expanders and arch development devices can help create more space in the oral cavity and improve tongue posture, facilitating better nasal airflow and reducing the need for compensatory teeth grinding.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy involves exercises that strengthen the oral and facial muscles while correcting tongue position and breathing patterns. This therapy helps establish proper oral rest posture and can significantly reduce both airway obstruction and associated teeth grinding.
Multi-Discipline Care
When necessary, we coordinate with other healthcare providers to address underlying issues such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be recommended when these structures significantly obstruct the airway and contribute to sleep-disordered breathing.
Contact Airway Dental and More to Learn More About Treating Teeth Grinding in Children
If you’ve noticed your child grinding their teeth at night or displaying other signs of sleep-disordered breathing, don’t wait to seek professional evaluation. Dr. Neil K. Stevenson and our experienced team at Airway Dental and More are committed to providing comprehensive care that addresses both the symptoms and underlying causes of pediatric airway issues.
Our practice combines advanced technology with compassionate care to help families understand and address the complex relationship between airway health and dental development. We work closely with parents to develop individualized treatment plans that promote optimal breathing, reduce teeth grinding, and support healthy growth and development. To schedule a consultation or learn more about our pediatric airway services, contact us at (904) 268-4466 or visit our contact form.