Why I Stopped Telling Parents That Teeth Grinding Is "Normal"

Why I Stopped Telling Parents That Teeth Grinding Is "Normal"

I have been a pediatric dentist for almost 20 years. Earlier in my career, I used to tell parents that teeth grinding was a normal part of development. At that time, my primary concern was simply preserving the permanent teeth and managing the wear and tear. I viewed the grinding as a habit to be monitored rather than a symptom to be investigated.

Over the last several years, I have invested hundreds of hours into airway research and growth guidance orthodontics. This education has fundamentally changed how I practice. I no longer look for quick fixes to protect the enamel. Instead, I am driven to find the root cause of a child's symptoms.

The Connection to Airway Health

While teeth grinding is a common occurrence in children, commonality does not equal health. We now understand that bruxism is frequently a clinical sign of airway dysfunction and sleep disordered breathing.

When a child's airway is restricted during sleep, the body often responds by moving the jaw forward to create more space in the throat. This physical movement manifests as grinding. It is a compensatory mechanism used to maintain oxygen flow.

Moving Beyond the Symptoms

If we only focus on the teeth, we miss the bigger picture of a child’s systemic health. Sleep disordered breathing can impact a child’s growth, behavior, and cognitive development. My goal is to identify these issues early through growth guidance and proper intervention.

Taking the Next Step

If your child is grinding their teeth, it is important to look at their sleep quality and breathing patterns. We should not wait for them to grow out of it while their developmental health is at stake. By addressing the airway and supporting proper jaw growth, we can solve the underlying issue rather than just treating the dental wear.