Determining if your child has bruxism can be tricky because they often don't realize they grind their teeth. Check on them at night to discover whether they make grinding noises while asleep or ask a sibling who shares the room with them.
Is your child particularly worried or angry about anything? If these emotions coincide with the sound of teeth-grinding while they sleep, it's time to pay attention. Children can experience anxiety just like adults. You may need to address the root cause through other medical treatment or stress-relieving interventions, like a warm bath or soothing music before bedtime.
Bruxism can occur when your child is awake and asleep, and your child may report pain in their ears, cheeks, jaw, or neck. Take those reports seriously and make a dentist appointment. Your child's dental professional can determine if the source of facial pain results from bruxism and make recommendations or a treatment plan from there.