Baby Grinding Teeth: Causes and Solutions

Why do babies grind their teeth?

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is common among babies and children. While it may seem annoying or strange to parents, baby teeth grinding isn't a cause for concern. In fact, it's quite normal!

Children grind their teeth due to tooth eruption, teething pain, misaligned teeth or even as part of a developmental milestone. Usually baby teeth grinding occurs during sleep and is caused by clenching the jaw and chewing on their tongues or cheeks.

It can be disrupted by other noises like loud music or crying children, so making sure your child's environment is quiet may reduce this habit in babies.

Many children grow out of teeth grinding soon after their permanent adult teeth come in; however if you're concerned about your baby's teeth grinding you should always consult a pediatric dentist.

How can I stop my baby or toddler from grinding their teeth?

To help stop a baby or toddler grinding teeth, look for ways to reduce any sources of stress in their environment such as limiting screen time, ensuring adequate sleep and creating more opportunities for physical play.

Additionally, contact your dentist to potentially adjust the fit of the mouthguard if you choose to pursue that option.

Finally, provide comfort and reassurance to your child when they seem anxious and make sure they have plenty of oral stimulation through water play and items like pacifiers or a teething toy.

What are the effects of grinding on a child's teeth?

The long-term effects of tooth grinding can be detrimental to one's oral hygiene, potentially leading to chipped teeth, gum recession and even jaw disorders.

It has been shown that those who indulge in teeth grinding can suffer from symptoms such as earaches, headaches and pain within the facial region due to overstimulation of the facial muscles surrounding these areas.

What is sleep bruxism?

Sleep bruxism occurs when the baby clenches their teeth and grinds them together during sleep, resulting in a rhythmic grinding motion of their jaw.

Most cases are very mild and won't cause any harm, but it can be a sign of underlying issues such as teething pain or sleep problems like difficulty sleeping or interrupted sleep.

One step you can take is to introduce a calming bedtime routine and avoid distractions before bed to calm any anxiety they may have.

When should I speak to a child dentist about tooth grinding?

It can certainly be concerning when you notice your baby is grinding their teeth. As it turns out, teeth grinding in babies is quite common and generally nothing to worry about.

Though it may offer some temporary comfort, it won't prevent them from teething or potentially cause any long-term damage to their delicate oral health.

If the grinding continues over time or affects their sleep or eating habits, it may be wise to consider speaking with a doctor for further recommendations and advice.

If your child begins to experience mouth soreness, tooth sensitivity, muscle tenderness in the morning or teeth that feel oddly hot – all of these could be indicative of tooth grinding. Make an appointment with a child dentist if you observe any of the above mentioned symptoms.

Your dentist can assess the situation and make recommendations for protective treatments such as mouth guards for your child. The sooner these issues are addressed, the more proactive way you can take in shielding your child's teeth from further damage.

Do most kids outgrow bruxism?

Experienced dentists have have concluded that most tooth grinding disappears once permanent teeth start to come in, however it can linger into adulthood and some older children will outgrow their bruxism only after behavioral changes are made.

In many cases if this persists beyond permanent teeth coming in, medical attention is needed as oral health can be affected.

Will teeth grinding give my child jaw pain?

While it might cause some irritation, it usually isn't enough to make your child experience any actual jaw pain. In fact, if it has receded by the time your child enters their teenage years, it may not be anything more than just a passing phase.

That being said, if the teeth grinding persists and gets worse over time, then it might become a problem. Visiting a healthcare provider can help to ensure that your child's teeth aren't becoming damaged or that there isn't any underlying jaw issues causing them discomfort.

Our final thoughts on teeth grinding in babies

Teeth grinding in babies and toddlers is often simply a reflex and can resolve on its own in time, but it’s always best to chat with a pediatric dentist if you are concerned about this behavior in order to ensure that your baby is developing in a healthy manner.