Question
My child is nearly 6 years old and often grinds his teeth at night, with a loud sound. Does this indicate anything? How should it be handled?
Answer
Children who grind their teeth primarily do so due to parasitic infections, with worms being the most common parasites to inhabit a baby’s intestines. These worms steal various nutrients from the small intestine, secrete toxins, move erratically, and cause great unrest. They stimulate the intestines to move faster, leading to indigestion and aching around the navel. This can cause the baby’s nervous system to remain excited during sleep, thereby triggering grinding teeth. Pinworm infection is more common in children under 3 years old. Whenever the child sleeps at night, the worms will crawl to the child’s anal opening to lay eggs, causing anal itching and making the child restless at night, leading to the phenomenon of nighttime grinding teeth. If parasitic infection is detected, it is essential to deworm promptly and take deworming medication under a doctor’s guidance. Emotional restlessness during the day and overexertion can also cause nighttime grinding teeth.