Medical Questions » Teeth Questions » Question No. 987
| Question: | Would you know any reason why my 8 year old daughter grinds her teeth while sleeping? She has a large overbite. Would this be the cause? |
| Answer: | The grinding of teeth is called bruxism by doctors, and is most commonly a sign of stress or tension, or it may be a nervous habit. I am sure the over bite has nothing to do with it.
Bruxism during sleep could occur during nightmares, and if your daughter ever wakes with night terrors this is the probable explanation.
Prolonged bruxism may cause damage to the teeth, so have them checked by your dentist.
If the problem continues, a mild medication (on script from your GP) to alter the depth of sleep, and thus reduce the number of dreams, may be appropriate.
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