Patient's question:
A child is nearly 6 years old and often grinds their teeth at night, making loud noises. Does this indicate anything? How should it be handled?Thank you for your response!
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 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, leading to nighttime grinding teeth. If parasites are detected, it is essential to deworm promptly and take deworming medication under the guidance of a doctor.
Excessive excitement or fatigue in the baby during the day can also cause nighttime grinding teeth.