The habit of grinding your teeth while sleeping can be a sign that your child is experiencing bullying & bull; hello healthy

In most cases, the habit of grinding teeth while sleeping (bruxism) is not known what the exact cause is. But parents seem to need to be more vigilant, especially if your child has only recently started gritting his teeth while sleeping. A child's habit of grinding their teeth while sleeping can be a sign that they are experiencing bullying in their daily lives.

Children grinding their teeth while sleeping can be a sign of bullying

Children are indeed the age group most prone to grinding their teeth while sleeping. Children who grind their teeth while sleeping usually also have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and sleep apnea. Even so, various studies have linked an increased risk of children grinding their teeth while sleeping with the impact of bullying.

Many experts believe that most cases of bruxism can be triggered by fear, stress, anger, frustration, and even anxiety— the turmoil of negative emotions experienced by victims of bullying.

This is evidenced by a study that looked at adolescents aged 13-15 who were victims of bullying at school. Researchers found that the risk of grinding teeth while sleeping was increased many times in the group of children who reported experiencing bullying than in children who did not experience it.

In many cases, children are victims of bullying did not dare to tell anyone about her condition because she was threatened by the bully . As a result, children continue to harbor emotions alone. When emotions are not released, negative energy resulting from emotions does not leave the body and continues to remain in the body. This negative energy can interfere with the function of organs, including the brain, which is then reflected in their sleeping habits without realizing it.

Signs of bruxism in children

Because bruxism usually occurs during sleep, children usually don't realize they are doing it. However, there are a number of signs and symptoms that you may be able to look for to see that your little one grinds his teeth a lot while sleeping:

If the child grinds his teeth hard enough while sleeping, until the person sleeping nearby wakes up (or he wakes up alone)
If your child feels that their teeth have become flattened, broken, torn, or even wobbled (or you saw it yourself)
If the surface of the child's teeth becomes flatter and thinner
If the child complains that their teeth become more sensitive
If the child complains of feeling pain in the chin, jaw, or face, especially when he wakes up
If the child complains of tired or achy chin muscles
If the child complains of ear pain, even though after being examined at the doctor, it is not
If the child has mild headaches, especially in the area around the temples
If the child has a wound in the gums

Is it necessary to see a doctor if a child has bruxism?

You need to visit a doctor or dentist if your child feels:

Teeth feel more dull, damaged, or sensitive
Chin, ears, or face pain
Protests from other people sleeping near the child about the noise grinding his teeth while sleeping
The child cannot open and close the jaw completely
You suspect that there are other accompanying signs of bullying, either physical (eg, bruising or injury for no apparent reason) or emotional and / or behavioral changes.

Another sign of bullying that parents need to watch out for

Bruxism is not a sure sign of bullying. However, you need to be more vigilant if your child's habit of grinding his teeth while sleeping has only recently happened, never been before.

Apart from grinding your teeth, here are other signs to watch out for if you suspect your child is being bullied at school.

Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
Difficulty concentrating in class or any activity
Often makes excuses to skip school (usually marked by starting to make up symptoms of the disease, such as dizziness, upset stomach, etc.).
Suddenly withdrawing from previous favorite activities, such as soccer extracurricular activities or playing after school
Sees restless, lethargic, gloomy, constantly discouraged, loses confidence, worries easily, closes himself off from those around him
Often complains of losing items or items being damaged. For example books, clothes, shoes, electronic goods, or accessories (watches, bracelets, etc.).
Decreased grades in school, reluctant to do homework or other school assignments, don't want to go to school, and so on
Sudden bruises arise on the face, hands, back for no reason. Can also experience injuries to teeth and other body parts. But your child may argue that he fell off the stairs or was sucked in at school.

But there is really no easy way to really know if your child is the victim of bullying at school. Many of the signs and symptoms shown by child victims of bullying are similar to typical adolescent behavior in general.

According to a 2015 UNICEF report, 40 percent of Indonesian children experience bullying at school. Meanwhile, according to a report by the ICRW (International Center for Research on Women) also in the same year, almost 84% of children in Indonesia experience violence in schools that is rooted in bullying.

If you suspect your child or closest relative is experiencing bullying in any form, it is strongly recommended that you contact police emergency number 110 ; KPAI (Indonesian Child Protection Commission) at (021) 319-015-56; Safe School via SMS to number 0811976929 or telephone to numbers 021-57903020 and 5703303 ; ATTITUDE (Action Solidarity for Victims of Violence against Children and Women) at (021) 319-069-33; or through e-mail to