Question
A two-and-a-half-year-old often grinds their teeth at night, even if they are active during the day or experiencing mental tension, and should seek professional medical advice.
Answer
Children may grind their teeth involuntarily during sleep, which is common after a heavy meal or when overly excited before going to bed. After a big meal, the digestive system continues to work, potentially causing the chewing muscles to activate during sleep and leading to grinding. Additionally, sleep after excessive excitement may also result in this phenomenon. If a child frequently grinds their teeth, it’s worth considering the possibility of parasitic infections or rickets. Parasites like worms not only absorb nutrients in the intestines but also secrete toxins that irritate the intestinal wall, possibly causing abdominal pain, irritability, and nighttime grinding. Therefore, for children who often grind their teeth, it is recommended to seek further diagnosis and treatment from a doctor.