Teeth Grinding in Children with Autism: What Parents Need to Know

Teeth grinding, or bruxism is a common concern among parents of children with autism. This condition, characterized by clenching or grinding teeth, often occurs during sleep but can also happen while a child is awake. For children on the autism spectrum, bruxism may be more than a dental issue—it can also be linked to sensory challenges, anxiety, and other underlying factors. Addressing teeth grinding is crucial for maintaining oral health and ensuring your child’s comfort. One effective solution for this issue is using a mouth guard for teeth grinding, which can protect your child’s teeth while promoting better sleep.

The Connection Between Autism and Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding in children with autism may be attributed to many factors that are in one way or another related to the child’s autism. Stress and anxiety are examples of this because children on the spectrum may not be able to tolerate change or overstimulation. Grinding can be a form of an outlet or a way to gain control during stressful situations.

Also, it can be explained that children with SPD are more sensitive to physical stimuli in their jaws and may grind their teeth unconsciously. According to some studies, acid reflux is also one of the probable causes of bruxism, which is prevalent in children with autism. Parents need to learn about these causes to treat the cause of their child’s grinding teeth.

The Role of Somatic Therapy in Managing Teeth Grinding

Somatic therapy is gradually becoming accepted as an essential and effective modality in the management of children with autism, especially for stress and sensory problems that lead to bruxism. This therapeutic approach links the body and the mind, working with children to improve their body consciousness and emotional management by practicing physical exercises and relaxation techniques.

In children with grinding habits, somatic therapy will help to treat the anxiety or sensory processing disorder that contributes to the grinding. Some strategies that can be used include breathing exercises, simple exercises like rolling the head, and guided relaxation to release tension in the jaw muscles. Furthermore, somatic therapy involves several sensory integration activities that would assist children in getting used to the sensations felt in the mouth so that they could easily accept using a mouth guard to prevent teeth grinding.

Therapists applying somatic techniques can help parents and their children develop an individual action plan. These strategies also help with teeth grinding and enhance the quality of life in children by reducing stress and anxiety.

Steps Parents Can Take to Help Their Child

Treating teeth grinding in children with ASD involves the use of a multi-pronged approach that addresses not only the physical but also the emotional aspects of bruxism. It is essential for people who grind their teeth to visit the dentist for check-ups to detect any impacts of the vice on the teeth and gums. The child can have a mouth guard specifically prescribed by the dentists that is safe to use, and if the child is sensitive to the touch, then the mouth guard will not cause discomfort.

Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine can also prevent nighttime bruxism in children. By engaging in calming practices like reading, listening to soft music, or practicing somatic exercises at night, grinding at night is prevented, and bedtime is less stressful. If children grind during the day, parents might notice which sensory settings or stress factors caused it and discuss it with therapists to find ways to avoid it.

The other factor that must be considered is the exclusion of different causes, including gastroesophageal reflux disease or allergy known to worsen teeth grinding. Seeking medical professional advice to treat these matters can help with all of these in a way that makes them part of a more extensive treatment for bruxism.

Conclusion

As much as teeth grinding can be a problem with children with autism, there are so many ways in which parents can help their child overcome this problem and, hence, become a better child in society. From knowing the causes of bruxism at the level of the senses and feelings to considering a non-traditional approach to its treatment, such as somatic therapy, there are many possibilities to solve this problem. 

Moreover, wearing a mouth guard for teeth grinding offers the child instant safety for his/her teeth as a long-term solution is sought. It means that you can offer your child both beneficial actions and a profound individualized approach to make the necessary changes in the child’s life to support his/her physical and emotional development.