Why Kids Grind Their Teeth at Night

Nighttime teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is fairly common in children. While many parents hear the occasional squeak or crunch during sleep, frequent or loud grinding can point to something more significant. At GV Smiles, Dr. Kevin Adair, DDS, and the care team look beyond the surface, exploring whether grinding may indicate airway issues affecting sleep, behavior, and growth.

Bruxism in kids is different from that in adults. Children may grind as their jaws and teeth develop, but persistent patterns often signal an airway imbalance rather than a temporary phase. Simply waiting to “grow out of it” could mean missing important clues about your child’s health.

Why Do Kids Grind at Night? The Airway Link

Grinding often happens when the body is working hard to keep the airway open. When the airway is narrow or blocked, the jaw may clench and grind to stabilize the tongue and jaw, allowing more airflow. This natural response can protect breathing in the short term but may cause dental wear, sleep disruption, and poor facial growth.

Several factors connect grinding to airway issues:

• Mouth breathing and low tongue posture can make it harder for a child to maintain an open airway.
• Narrow dental arches and crowded teeth reduce the tongue’s space.
• Frequent sleep arousals from restricted breathing may trigger grinding as the body reacts.

Understanding this link helps families focus on root-cause solutions instead of surface-level fixes.

Signs Your Child’s Grinding May Be Airway-Related

Occasional grinding may not be concerning, but it’s important to take a closer look when it appears with other sleep or behavior patterns. Parents can often spot red flags at home.

Common signs include:

• Snoring, noisy breathing, or restless tossing at night
• Open-mouth posture and consistently dry lips
• Dark circles under the eyes or morning grogginess
• Daytime irritability, trouble focusing, or hyperactivity
• A history of allergies, frequent congestion, or chronic colds

If several of these sound familiar, an airway-focused dental evaluation can help determine whether grinding is more than just a habit.

How GV Smiles Evaluates Grinding and Airway Concerns

At GV Smiles, evaluations go beyond a quick look at teeth. Dr. Adair and the team use an airway-first approach, blending dental growth assessment with sleep and breathing screenings. This ensures treatment matches your child’s overall needs, not just their smile.

During an evaluation, families can expect:

• A detailed discussion about sleep habits, symptoms, and family history
• Growth and bite assessments to check arch width, tongue posture, and facial development
• Use of in-office or online screening tools, such as the pediatric sleep apnea quiz, to identify risks early
• Recommendations for imaging or referrals to ENT or sleep physicians when additional testing is helpful

This whole-child perspective reassures parents that nothing important is overlooked.

Treating the Root Cause at GV Smiles

Because airway imbalance is often behind grinding, treatments at GV Smiles focus on supporting healthy breathing and growth. The philosophy is gentle and preventive, prioritizing long-term health over quick fixes.

Airway-Oriented Orthodontics and Growth Guidance

Guiding jaw development helps create room for the tongue and improves airflow. Unlike traditional methods that pull teeth back, airway-focused orthodontics encourages forward growth and space-making changes.

Treatment may include:

• Palatal or skeletal expansion to widen narrow arches
• Strategies that promote natural forward growth of the jaws
• Early evaluation so simple interventions can prevent complex treatment later

Learn more about airway orthodontics in Fairfield and how it supports sleep and smiles.

Crozat Appliance: A Gentle Early Option

A Crozat appliance can be an excellent tool for early expansion for younger children. This small, removable appliance applies light pressure to encourage natural arch development and improve tongue posture.

Families appreciate the Crozat’s comfort and hygiene benefits. At GV Smiles, the Crozat appliance is used when gentle, early intervention can prevent bigger issues later.

Myofunctional Therapy to Retrain Muscles

Teeth grinding linked to airway problems often involves improper muscle habits. Myofunctional therapy uses fun, simple exercises to retrain the tongue, lips, and cheeks, supporting nasal breathing and proper posture.

A home program may include:

• Daily exercises that strengthen tongue-to-palate posture
• Lip-seal practice to encourage nasal breathing
• Parent support to track progress and keep routines consistent
  Learn more about therapy as part of GV Smiles’ sleep apnea and airway care.

Oral Appliances and When They’re Considered

In older children or teens, oral appliances may be used to protect teeth or improve symptoms. However, Dr. Adair emphasizes that night guards alone do not solve the root problem. True improvement comes from correcting airway and growth issues so the grinding naturally resolves.

Home Tips While You Seek Care

While you arrange an evaluation, small steps can help you sleep better and provide better information for your dental team.

Helpful tips include:

• Keep a consistent bedtime routine and reduce screen time before bed
• Support nasal breathing with simple aids like saline sprays or humidifiers (if advised)
• Track snoring, grinding, and waking patterns in a two-week sleep log
• Avoid giving children over-the-counter night guards designed for adults

These strategies won’t replace treatment, but can ease stress while you wait for a professional opinion.

When to Seek a Sleep Evaluation or Referral

Grinding that is loud, frequent, or paired with snoring and daytime fatigue may signal a deeper sleep disorder. In these cases, Dr. Adair may recommend further evaluation.

Referrals to ENT or sleep-medicine professionals are sometimes part of a child’s care journey. This collaboration ensures the best outcome for sleep, breathing, and growth.

What to Expect: Timeline, Comfort, and Results

Parents often notice positive changes once the airway is addressed. Better sleep, improved behavior, and reduced grinding are common outcomes.

A typical plan may include:

• Regular check-ins during treatment with appliances or therapy
• Progress tracking through sleep logs, photos, and growth assessments
• Guidance on how to maintain healthy habits and long-term stability

Every child’s journey is unique, but the focus is always on comfort, health, and growth.

Common Questions Parents Ask

Parents often have similar concerns when they notice teeth grinding. Clear answers help guide the next steps.

• How do I know if grinding is “normal” or something to worry about?
• Will my child need braces or early expansion?
• How long does myofunctional therapy usually take?
• What if my child struggles to wear an appliance?
• Can treating grinding really improve focus and energy during the day?

These are all common questions—they’re part of the conversation during your child’s evaluation.