When you hear your baby's teeth grinding for the first time, it produces both surprise and anxiety in parents. Understanding tooth-grinding behavior in children and how parents should respond helps parents gain confidence and get better prepared for these situations.
Why Do Babies Grind Their Teeth?
The habit of teeth grinding typically starts when baby teeth begin to emerge through the gums, usually between 6 and 10 months of age. A few factors can contribute to tooth grinding in babies.
- Exploring New Sensations
Infants demonstrate similar exploration habits with their teeth as they previously did with their hands and toes. Tooth grinding enables babies to discover new sensations through their mouths. The experience of rubbing teeth together provides novelty because it is both interesting and soothing for babies.
- Teething Discomfort
When teeth emerge from the gums, they produce noticeable pressure that leads to bothersome sensations. During teething or self-soothing efforts, some infants naturally grind their teeth.
- Ear Pain or Congestion
Babies who experience ear infections, sinus pressure, or allergies may try to manage their discomfort by grinding their teeth.
- Sleep-Related Causes
A significant number of people grind their teeth when they sleep, entering their lighter stages of sleep. The phenomenon may be associated with various sleep patterns, such as restless sleep cycles, as well as jawbone shifting during growth.
- Stress or Anxiety (More Common in Toddlers)
Emotional triggers such as separation anxiety and overstimulation or routine changes tend to cause teeth grinding in older babies and toddlers during naptime and nighttime.
Is Teeth Grinding a Symptom of Teething?
Yes, while both teething and teeth grinding are correlated, they are not equivalent to each other, and one does not cause the other. Most parents notice their baby grinding their teeth when the child is teething, which usually occurs when the molars start to appear.
Teething could result in sore and itchy gums, and he might find the sensation from grinding to be comforting. It has become a way of dealing with the inconvenience they experience. Therefore, not all babies who are teething will grind their teeth, and not all babies who grind their teeth are teething. It is simply one of the numerous factors.
Symptoms of Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is a relatively common condition in children, and here are some signs you might use to tell if your baby is grinding their teeth. In addition to the sound, other symptoms include:
- Some common dental problems people experience include teeth that appear flat or shorter due to wear.
- Mouth soreness resulting in fussiness during feeding.
- Grinding or tapping of teeth or movements that resemble chewing.
- Bleeding when the gums become red and swollen, or signs of teething.
- Breaks in sleep or signs of sleeplessness during the night.
Problems Infant Bruxism Can Cause
Baby grinding teeth is not a major issue because most cases affect babies for a short duration and then cease. But when such a habit is done often or when it is done excessively, it has the following effects:
It can weaken the primary enamel, exposing baby teeth to a higher risk of cavities or sensitivity due to the abrasive action of the teeth grinder.
- Jaw Strain
Teeth grinding may cause discomfort and tightness in the jaw muscles or joints; however, this is more common in healthy adults and is not common among infants.
- Disrupted Sleep
Bruxism, in particular, can interfere with sleep quality both for your baby and for yourself if the grinding is loud or continuous at night.
- Tooth Damage
Occasionally, severe teeth grinding, especially in toddlers or a child with a potent bite, results in chipped or cracked teeth.
Is Teeth Grinding Bad for Children?
Not necessarily. In many cases, bruxism is seen in infants and toddlers and is best considered a normative occlusal phenomenon. It tends to disappear on its own at ages 3 to 6 as children respond to pressure and gain more control over the muscles in their mouth.
How to Get Baby to Stop Grinding Teeth
If your baby grinds his or her teeth only occasionally, there is no need for any special intervention. If it’s happening often, interrupting sleep, or associated with teething pain, here are a few recommendations:
- Offer Teething Relief
Since one of the primary reasons for baby teeth grinding is teething, having safe and comforting teething accessories can help enormously. Experiment with different textures and temperatures to find out which one suits your little one best.
This colorful and creatively shaped teether can also be filled with water and refrigerated for a cool sensation. It is easy on the gums and has a cold feel to it, and may help reduce teething that causes grinding.
These teethers are designed for babies and come in shapes and textures that help soothe a baby's gums while also stimulating their senses. They are BPA-free and bite-sized, making them perfect for children who prefer to chew on objects rather than grinding them between their teeth.
- Teething Rings or Mittens
Teething rings, like the Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys, are helpful not only because they can numb the sore gums but also because they have something for the baby to chew on.
- Teething Gels or Drops
Some of the most common treatments include natural remedies, such as Camilia Teething Drops, which are homeopathic and widely recommended for temporary relief. You should always consult your pediatrician when it comes to gels or any type of oral medications.
- Practice Gentle Massage
Light pressure to the baby’s jaw muscle region or cheek may help ease the tension and alleviate the pain associated with teething or bruxism.
- Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine
If your baby grinds their teeth during sleep, massaging the chin area and following a soothing bedtime routine can provide relief. Include elements like:
- A warm bath
- Soft lullabies
- Rocking or gentle swaying
- White noise for consistent sleep cues
- Use a Pacifier
In children under one year of age, a pacifier may help fulfill an infant’s need for oral stimulation and reduce grinding at night. However, its use should be limited in the long term to avoid complications such as dental misalignment.
- Monitor & Document the Behavior
Monitor the time and frequency of your baby grinding his/her teeth. Try to identify whether it is due to teething, sleep, or stress. This record may be useful if you choose to seek counsel from a pediatrician.
- Consult a Pediatric Dentist
It's advisable to consult a pediatric dentist if teeth grinding persists or if there are signs of tooth wear. They can inspect for signs of wear, diagnose whether it is properly aligned, and offer tips on how to avoid such troubles or what measures to take to correct the situation.
When to Seek Help
If you experience or observe any of the following, then you should contact your health care provider:
- You have noticed your baby cries at the time of eating or when chewing something.
- Teeth appear to be worn, cracked, or even trimmed.
- Grinding continues well past age 3.
- Your child may be stressed or not sleeping well.
- These signs include increased size and rigidity of the jaw.
Your pediatrician or dentist can then advise you if the child requires treatment or if it is just a phase that the child will grow through.
FAQ
Is it normal for babies to grind their teeth?
Definitely, baby grinding teeth is normal and is not something that parents need to worry about most of the time. Teething begins when the first top and bottom teeth grow, and it usually starts between 6 to 12 months of age. It is sometimes associated with teething, while exploring new feelings or sensations, or during light sleep stages. Manifestations of the behavior typically disappear gradually over a few years, and in the most severe cases, they are gone by the age of 3 to 6.
What teeth do babies grind?
Teething is an event that occurs when a baby has developed at least one pair of opposite teeth, most frequently, upper and lower central incisors. When the new teeth start emerging, especially the molars, grinding can be prompted by pressure in the mouth or gum sensitivity. Infants may grind one set of teeth more than the other as the jaw forms, especially in toddlers whose molars are closer to each other.
Is grinding teeth linked to autism?
Bruxism is observable in children with autism. However, its presence isn’t a sign or diagnostic feature on its own. Childhood bruxism might be more frequent or more severe in autistic children due to sensory integration dysfunction or anxiety. It is, however, important to understand that most babies who grind their teeth are not autistic. If you have any concerns about developmental milestones or behavior, it's a good idea to consult a pediatrician.
Conclusion
It can be startling to hear your baby grinding their teeth, but for most children, this is a completely normal and natural occurrence. Luckily, various things can be done to assist, and these include the following: if certain measures are taken, this stage should not take long to pass.
