What is the reason for children to grind their teeth?

Many children at school do not use teething sticks during teething, so they will grind their teeth after teething, especially when they are dreaming. Many mothers feel very confused when their children grind their teeth slightly, and they are afraid that there will be problems with their children's oral cavity, and they are also afraid that their children will bite their cheeks. So what is the reason for children to grind their teeth?

The trigeminal nerve innervates the masticatory muscles of the molars, causing strong and continuous non-functional contractions, resulting in a chewing movement with a rattling sound.

People are in the period of replacing teeth between the ages of 6 and 13, and they will grind their teeth to adapt to the grinding of the upper and lower teeth. However, if teenagers and adults who have passed the tooth replacement period often grind their teeth, it is a pathological condition.

Bruxism refers to the habit of grinding teeth during sleep or unconsciously during the day. It gradually worsens over time and is a long-term vicious cycle disease. Nocturnal bruxism is caused by abnormal excitement of some brain cells in the mandibular operation area of the cerebral cortex of the central nervous system, which leads to dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve controls the masticatory muscles, which causes strong and continuous non-functional contraction and causes the teeth to make chewing movements with a rattling sound.

Patients with bruxism generally have the following characteristics:

1. The patient has typical teeth grinding or clenching movements during sleep.

2. Patients with stubborn bruxism may suffer from severe wear of the occlusal and interproximal surfaces.

3. There are changes such as atrophy of periodontal tissues, alveolar bones, and gums, loose teeth, and displacement of teeth.

4. Masseter muscle fatigue and weak bite.

5. Accompanied by symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

6. After getting up, the patient has symptoms of head and neck pain.

7. It is more common in children and adolescent male patients.

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