Patient's question:
Hello, my daughter is 5 years old. She grinds her teeth at night while sleeping. What could be the reason?Doctor's answer:
Children grind their teeth mainly because of parasites, and roundworms are the most common parasites that infest a baby's intestines. They various nutrients in the small intestine, secrete toxins, move randomly, and are extremely restless, stimulating the intestinal tract to speed up peristalsis, causing indigestion and aching around the navel. This keeps the baby's nervous system in an excited state during sleep, leading to grinding of the teeth.Pinworm infection is more common in children under 3 years old. Every night after the baby falls asleep, pinworms crawl to the anal opening to lay eggs, causing anal itching and making the baby restless, which results in nighttime grinding of the teeth. If parasites are detected, it is essential to deworm promptly and take deworming medication under the guidance of a doctor.
Excessive emotional excitement or fatigue during the day in the baby can also cause nighttime grinding of the teeth.