Question
What’s causing my child to grind their teeth? Do I need to take them to the hospital? How long will it take for them to improve?
Answer
If a child frequently grinds their teeth, it might be due to parasitic infections and rickets. Worms, a common intestinal parasite, not only absorb nutrients but also secrete toxins that stimulate the intestinal wall, leading to abdominal pain, irritability, and night grinding among other symptoms. Besides these reasons, children in the growth phase may exhibit symptoms such as square heads, outward bowing of the lower ribs, and pigeon chest in terms of skeletal issues. They may also experience excessive sweating, night terrors, and restlessness. Night grinding is one of these symptoms. Therefore, if a child frequently grinds their teeth, it is important to seek medical treatment promptly.