Parents who notice signs of bruxism in their children are urged to consult with the child’s dentist. In other cases, signs of bruxism – such as wearing down of the top surfaces of the teeth – may be noticed by the dentist during a routine dental exam.

The dentist also will check for tenderness in the jaw muscles and other abnormalities of the mouth and jaw. X-rays may be ordered. If the dentist suspects bruxism, the child and parents may be asked several questions, such as:

• How does the child feel prior to bedtime?
• What does the child do prior to bedtime?
• Is the child worried about anything in particular?
• Is the child angry at someone or about something?

The dentist’s questions are designed to help determine whether a child’s bruxism is related to an anatomical problem such as misaligned teeth or an emotional problem such as excessive stress. This will help the dentist to come up with a more effective treatment plan.