Grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common behavior among children. Some children grind their teeth because of a misalignment between the upper and lower jaw. Others use teeth grinding to relieve pain during teething or earache.

However, the main cause of bruxism is stress. If something exciting happens or is coming up in your child's daily routine, such as the birth of a sibling, starting school, moving house or an important exam, this can often trigger teeth grinding. Most children stop grinding their teeth on their own during adolescence, once their permanent teeth come through, so don't worry - these noises during sleep won't last forever!

What should you do if you notice your child grinding their teeth?

We recommend that you make an appointment at our children's dental practice heyzahn as soon as possible. The children's dentist Dr. Anna Wechsler will immediately check the abraded or grinded tooth surface and identify unusual signs of wear on the teeth or cracks in the tooth enamel.

Dr. Wechsler will then create a suitable treatment plan for your child, depending on the child's age and the degree to which the teeth have been shaved down.

For example, the Myobrace® splint could be a solution. Similar to a mouth guard for athletes, it offers protection for the teeth when grinding, and it is also a training device for the resting position of the tongue and for training the swallowing pattern.

You can also help your child stop grinding their teeth by talking about possible stress triggers (both family and school-related), taking plenty of time together, playing calming music or reading a favorite book. Find a relaxing activity that your child enjoys and incorporate it into the bedtime routine.

Depending on the severity of the grinding, the pediatric dentist will recommend the appropriate treatment when you visit the heyzahn practice. We will also explain to you which costs will be covered by your health insurance.

More about Myobrace® treatment :
Myobrace® therapy is a removable treatment method for correcting unfavorable habits in the chewing system, such as incorrect swallowing patterns, incorrect tongue positioning or constant mouth breathing. In combination with special exercises to improve muscle function, this therapy is intended to bring about gentle changes in the positioning of the teeth and jaw and to support optimal development of the teeth and face. The Myobrace® trainer is to be worn both at night and during the day for around two to three hours.

However, it is important to note that in case of severe grinding or orthopedic problems, the trainer is not covered by statutory health insurance.

Myobrace® splint against teeth grinding in childhood:
Teeth grinding is a common form of stress relief in children. Misaligned jaws can also cause "stress" for the body - grinding attempts to correct these tooth positions. This often also leads to malfunctions of the tongue, cheek and other areas (respiratory system, cervical spine, etc.). Because children's jaws are not yet fully grown, we cannot fit a conventional night guard. Instead, special devices such as the Myobrace® Trainer are used for teeth grinding in children. This relatively inexpensive device protects the teeth from abrasion and relieves the jaw joints. Experience has also shown that it improves muscle function and tooth position as well as forced bites. If necessary, your child may be able to convert mouth breathing into healthy nasal breathing.

Care of the Myobrace® splint:
Caring for the Myobrace® Trainer requires daily cleaning. If cracks or pressure points appear over time, please make an appointment at our heyzahn children's dental practice in Obermenzing, Munich.

Is your child’s oral hygiene important to you?
If you would like to arrange a quick appointment for treatment of your child's teeth grinding - even on weekends - or if you need further information about your first visit to heyzahn, you can contact us by phone at 089-9731-3969 or send us an email to info@heyzahn.de .

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about teeth grinding in children and Myobrace® therapy!

Dr. Anna Wechsler & your pediatric dentist team from heyzahn Obermenzing Munich