Grinding and clenching of teeth (bruxism) is often a manifestation of abnormal muscle activity in the face, jaw and throat, which can be caused by repeated arousal from sleep and attempts to open the airway. Children with sleep-disordered breathing often experience repeated awakenings and difficulty breathing during sleep, leading to increased muscle tension in the face and jaw.
This tension can result in grinding and clenching of the teeth during sleep, causing pain and damage to the teeth and jaw. Additionally, bruxism can also contribute to sleep-disordered breathing by narrowing the airway, leading to further awakenings and difficulties breathing.
