Sleep, breathing and pediatric bruxism
How bruxism, mouth breathing and sleep quality connect, and what pediatric dentistry can see.
When a parent tells me their child grinds their teeth at night, snores or sleeps with their mouth open, we're not just talking about teeth. We're talking about airway, sleep quality and facial development. Pediatric dentistry has a privileged view of these signs: we see them before almost any other specialty, and often we're the ones who refer to ENT, speech therapist or pediatrician when it's appropriate.
Dra. Florencia Nogueira, Odontopediatra · Bites Odontopediatría
Frequently asked questions
Is pediatric bruxism always pathological?
Not always. Up to a certain age and frequency, teeth grinding is part of normal development. We evaluate it when it's persistent, with visible wear, morning jaw pain or snoring. Then we investigate airway, occlusion and sleep alongside other specialties.
Does mouth breathing affect the teeth?
Yes, it affects maxillary development, tongue posture, occlusion and sleep quality. That's why mouth breathing in children isn't watched, it's investigated: we refer to ENT, speech therapist and, if needed, evaluate interceptive orthodontics.
Have a specific case? We'd love to evaluate it together.
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