Question
My six-year-old son has been grinding his teeth at night recently, and this has never happened before. I don’t know what the cause is, could it be roundworms?
Answer
Grinding teeth at night in children can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, excessive stress, having intestinal parasites, or dietary imbalances. Excessive stress might be due to watching stimulating TV programs or playing too vigorously before bed. Some children may grind their teeth due to mischief and subsequent scolding from parents, leading to suppression, unease, and anxiety, which in turn can cause night grinding. When a child has roundworm infection, the parasites produce toxins that stimulate the intestines, causing indigestion, abdominal pain, and restless sleep. The stimulation of the nervous system by these toxins might lead to excitement and subsequently teeth grinding.