Question
What are the common reasons for children grinding their teeth at night? Do they need treatment?
Answer
Children may occasionally grind their teeth in their sleep without realizing it, which usually occurs after eating or when they are overly excited. After eating, there may be a large amount of undigested food in the gastrointestinal tract, causing the digestive system to continue functioning after the child falls asleep, leading to grinding. Additionally, overexcitement can also cause grinding in dreams. In addition to these common causes, if a child frequently grinds their teeth, it may be related to parasitic infections or rickets. For example, worm infections can cause symptoms such as grinding due to the absorption of nutrients and the secretion of toxins. It is necessary to administer deworming medication under a doctor’s advice. Moreover, children lacking vitamin D and calcium may also experience grinding symptoms due to the effects of rickets. In such cases, appropriate treatment should be administered.