How to deal with a baby's frequent teeth grinding at night

Patient's question:

Child
Age
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Often has stomach pain, loves grinding teeth at night, how to treat?

Doctor's answer:

Hello:
Children often grind their teeth with a "clicking" sound after falling asleep at night. This "dry grinding" produces a loud and rough noise that is very unpleasant to hear, and the child cannot control it. Medically, this condition is known as "sleep bruxism." The exact cause of sleep bruxism has not yet been fully determined. It is generally believed that, in addition to intestinal parasites reflexively causing grinding, gastrointestinal dysfunction can also lead to sleep bruxism. Excitement or excessive fatigue may also trigger grinding. Additionally, during the teething phase, improper occlusal relationships can disrupt jaw muscle movement, leading to spasms and contractions that cause sleep bruxism. Therefore, it is not solely caused by roundworms.
If a child grinds their teeth for a long time, it can affect the health of their teeth and may lead to various conditions. For example, front teeth may become shorter, affecting aesthetics, while back teeth may be worn down, causing jaw muscle fatigue and pain. Severe cases can result in temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Tooth enamel wear can expose dentin, leading to sensitivity and pain in response to hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods, and may even cause pulpitis.
Therefore, if a child has sleep bruxism, parents should take it seriously and seek treatment.
Prevention and Treatment Methods:
1. Avoid overstimulating the child during the day, and ensure they are relaxed before bed. Do not watch stimulating TV shows.
2. Have the child checked for intestinal parasitic infections at a hospital. If any are found, they should be dewormed under a doctor's guidance.
3. For persistent cases, a bite guard should be made and worn during sleep to prevent direct tooth wear.
4. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is highly effective for treating sleep bruxism. Xuanfeng Decoction can be used. Its ingredients are:
- Perilla fruit (Binglao) and tangerine peel (Chenpi) each 15 grams,
- Black fennel seeds (Heiqianzi) 30 grams (roasted, using only the head powder),
- Licorice root (Zhi Gancao) 15 grams.
Grind the ingredients into a fine powder. Take 2–3 grams each time.