5 yr old grinding teeth in sleep??

[MiriamR]

Ds1 has always been pretty shy and sensitive. When he first started school, was v. unsettled (the teachers were great with him) then a few months later. along came ds2!! However, in the last few months, ds1 has made a 'best friend' at school and seems to have really come out of his shell. Interacts really well with teachers and other children now. However, for last couple of years, when he's asleep, he grinds his teeth. Aren't unduly worried about this ( well OK a little) - more curious really? does anyone else have any expereince of this? is this a sign of an underlying anxiety? or is it common? or should I be worried that ds will wake up one morning with only stubs for teeth!!?

netdoctor on teethgrinding for you, Miriam.

"'It's not uncommon for children, when their teeth emerge, to brux a little bit to grind their teeth into occlusion. This is a process that we are genetically meant to do ? it's programmed within us."

Pretty reassuring!

Janh - thank you v much for that . It was reassuring.

And to think, all this time, I've been reading too much into the teeth grinding and half-convincing myself that's it linked to his shyness etc.