Is your baby grinding their teeth? Babies grinding teeth can be problematic as it can wear out the protective layer known as enamel, causing headaches and earaches. Discovering the reasons behind this common issue is crucial for their comfort and dental health.

From teething pain and ear infections to stress and sleep disorders, various factors can cause bruxism in babies.

Don’t wait—take action now! Identify the root cause of your child’s teeth grinding and consult a pediatric dentist for personalized advice and treatment to safeguard their precious smile.

What is Infant Bruxism?

Babies may start grinding their teeth when they go through the teething stage, either awake or asleep. Grinding of the teeth and/or excessive clenching of the jaw is called bruxism, frequently seen in babies.

Although adults, children, and babies are all impacted. It can occur both at night and during the day. It is referred to as sleep bruxism throughout the evening hours.

The first sign is the sound your child makes when they grind their teeth as they sleep. Fortunately, most instances are mild and don’t need to be treated.

Why Do Babies Grind Their Teeth?

It can be challenging for parents to recognize that their infant is in pain when they are too young to express it, especially if the grinding occurs while the child is asleep.

Bruxism in children can be caused due to physical, physiological, and psychological reasons. Parents who are concerned about what causes bruxism, here are the potential reasons.

Their teeth are a novel sensation to them, and this grinding usually starts between 8 and 12 months. Babies and toddlers may grind their teeth for a variety of reasons, some of which are as follow:

The newborn learns to investigate the sensation and sound of their new teeth by grinding their teeth. Babies occasionally grind their baby teeth when they cut them to relieve aching gums.
Another factor that contributes to tooth grinding is improper jaw alignment. This may result from misaligned jawbones or irregular upper and lower tooth alignment. Your child may bite unsteadily while their baby teeth erupt, become loose, and are replaced by permanent teeth.
Additionally, bruxism may have its roots in poor dental hygiene. Gum inflammation, more common in kids who don’t brush their teeth, can cause grinding.
Children and teenagers who grind their teeth may also be affected by commonly prescribed drugs like antidepressants.
There is also evidence that the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus contributes to childhood bruxism.
Children who suffer from cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, or other developmental abnormalities may be especially vulnerable to grinding.
Children who breathe through their mouths or snore frequently grind their teeth.
Teeth grinding has been related to larger tonsils, which are significantly associated with blockage of the upper airway. It has been demonstrated that removing the tonsils and adenoids helps certain youngsters who grind their teeth less.
Teeth grinding can begin as early as six months after a baby receives their first tooth. This habit, which mostly happens while they sleep, typically lasts until the toddler years.
Teeth grinding is a coping strategy used by babies and toddlers who are anxious or uncomfortable.
Kids might grind their teeth to ease toothache or teething pain.
Sometimes, drugs or specific medical problems can make kids grind their teeth excessively.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Teeth Grinding in Children

The first sign that your baby may have bruxism is likely to be severe grinding, especially at night or during naps.

When your kid is awake during the day, you may also notice them clenching their jaw slightly or grinding their teeth.

Common signs of bruxism, or teeth grinding, include:

- Wear and Tear: Notable chipping, cracking, flattening, or wearing down of the teeth.
- Tooth Sensitivity: Elevated sensitivity in teeth due to deterioration of the enamel. Teeth sensitivity to temperatures between hot and cold can make your baby cry during mealtime.
- Jaw Tenderness or discomfort: Tenderness or pain in the jaw muscles, particularly in the morning.
- Headaches: Often beginning in the temples, tension-type headaches occur often.
- Earache
- Locked/Tight Jaw
- Sleep disturbances
- Gum swelling

Early diagnosis and treatment of these symptoms can help to mitigate the long-term impact of bruxism.

Complications Caused Due to Baby Teeth Grinding

A pediatric dentist can examine a child’s teeth for signs of bruxism.

Short-term Complications caused by teeth grinding are as follows:

Headaches: Your infant may feel pain in the vicinity of their ears.
Muscle aches: Tightening the jaw puts pressure on the muscles, which makes them achy and stiff.
Tooth sensitivity: Tooth grinding accelerates the deterioration of enamel. Your child’s teeth may become more susceptible to temperature changes.
Eating pain: Your baby may experience discomfort when eating food.

Long-term consequences of infant bruxism are:

Chipped teeth: Your baby’s teeth run the risk of shattering if they clench and grind their teeth excessively, eroding the enamel.
Flattened Teeth: If the baby grinds their teeth a lot, they may eventually cause a tooth to become flat.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD): This condition makes it harder to chew or open your mouth completely by causing jaw pain and stiffness. Prolonged and frequent teeth grinding can lead to the development of TMD in children.

You will be relieved to learn that bruxism is not a serious medical emergency.

Children outgrow teeth grinding naturally, so while it’s better to discover it and take action early to prevent any tooth damage, your infant is not in serious danger of health problems.

What are the best ways to stop babies/toddlers from grinding their teeth?

It goes without saying that parents do not like to hear their children grind their teeth. There are natural cures or preventative measures available, depending on the age of your child.

To help reduce your child’s discomfort and stop teeth grinding in babies during day time, you can give them cool rubber teething toys, silicone teething necklaces, and soft rubber teethers that mold to their mouth.
To assist your baby’s gums, give them a teething toy when they reach age of 1 year old. Teethers come in a variety of materials, including rubber, gentle wood, and calming ice patterns.
Toddlers and babies of 10 month old are prone to grinding their teeth as they sleep and frequently do so as a stress reliever. By creating a relaxing and stress-relieving nighttime ritual, you can assist your child.
These practices include reading aloud to your child, turning down the lights before bed, setting up a screen time curfew, employing a white noise machine, and filling your child’s room with relaxing aromas like lavender.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, while baby teeth grinding can be a concern for many parents, it is typically a normal phase of development that most children outgrow. Furthermore, you can start some tips for babies grinding teeth from 10 months old while awake and during sleep.

Monitoring the child’s habits and ensuring regular dental check-ups are crucial for preventing potential issues.

If the grinding is severe or accompanied by pain, seeking advice from a pediatric dentist can help address any underlying causes and provide solutions to protect the child’s dental health.

Ultimately, maintaining a healthy oral care routine and reducing stressors can minimize teeth grinding and ensure overall dental well-being.

FAQs

Is it normal for a baby to grind their teeth?

Yes, it is relatively common for babies to grind their teeth, especially during teething. This is quite common in babies and kids but the concerns are genuine and parents must learn why their kid is grinding teeth and how to avoid this habit.

How do I stop my baby from grinding her teeth?

To help stop your baby from grinding her teeth, establish a calming bedtime routine and provide soothing teething toys. Regular dental check-ups are also important for monitoring and addressing any issues.

Is grinding teeth linked to autism?

Teeth grinding can be observed in children with autism but is not exclusive to them. It can occur in many children due to various reasons like stress or sleep disorders.

Are teeth grinding due to teething?

Yes, teeth grinding can be due to teething, as babies may grind their teeth to alleviate discomfort. It is common behavior during this developmental stage.

How to stop a child from grinding their teeth?

If your baby has the habit of teeth grinding, make sure to get professional help from pediatric dentist. Help your kids with the teeth grinding habit by shifting their focus through poems, soothing music or a play date.