Why do babies grind their teeth?

Why do babies grind their teeth?

HealthyChildren.org says the exact cause is not known. Grinding can begin in infancy or toddlerhood, often linked to teething or other discomfort, and it usually resolves on its own. It lists possible contributors in children generally: stress, misaligned teeth, mouth irritation, teething or earache pain, allergies that affect breathing during sleep, sleep disorders, certain conditions such as autism or cerebral palsy, some medicines including stimulants for ADHD, and exposure to secondhand smoke. Not all apply to babies; most babies who grind have no underlying problem.

Is it normal for babies and toddlers to grind?

Yes. HealthyChildren.org says it is common in toddlers and preschoolers, can start before a child's first birthday, and that most children outgrow it. Cleveland Clinic says bruxism is most common in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood and often resolves by adolescence. The NHS page on teeth grinding does not give advice for children beyond seeing a dentist if you are worried.

When does it stop?

HealthyChildren.org says it typically disappears by about age 6, though some children continue into the teen or adult years. Cleveland Clinic says children frequently outgrow it by adolescence. The sources do not give a firm age for babies, so use these as a rough guide.

How can you tell your baby is grinding?

HealthyChildren.org lists loud grinding or scraping sounds at night, chipped or worn teeth, and face, ear or jaw pain or soreness the next day. Babies cannot tell you about pain, so look for fussiness, ear pulling or poor sleep alongside the noise, which is general observation and not stated in the sources.

How do you stop a baby grinding?

The sources we read do not give a way to stop it in babies; because it is usually outgrown, the advice is to watch and support. HealthyChildren.org suggests a calming bedtime routine such as a warm bath, quiet music, deep breathing or reading, turning off screens at least an hour before bed, and talking with the pediatrician and dentist, since medication timing or other health issues may be involved. For older children with tooth damage it says a dentist or orthodontist may recommend a night guard, and a custom guard is generally more comfortable than an over-the-counter one. A night guard is not appropriate for babies, which is our reading and flagged.

When should you see a dentist?

HealthyChildren.org says to see a dentist or doctor if a young child grinds loudly and has ongoing face, ear or jaw pain, if a child grinds loudly and seems to get poor sleep, in which case a sleep study may help, or if an older child has chipped, cracked or worn teeth or jaw soreness, since long-term grinding can lead to jaw joint and muscle problems. For teething pain, our guides on teething explain what is normal.

What about grinding in adults?

Cleveland Clinic describes bruxism as clenching, grinding or gnashing the teeth, usually without awareness, and says stress, anxiety, depression, smoking, heavy alcohol and caffeine use, certain medicines and sleep apnoea are risk factors. See our hub on teeth grinding for adults.

Is teething the cause?

HealthyChildren.org says grinding in babies and toddlers is often linked to teething or other discomfort, and lists teething or earache pain among possible contributors. Our teething guides explain what is normal at each age, and a dentist can check whether the baby teeth are coming in as expected. Persistent pain or sleep problems warrant a professional evaluation, according to the same page.

Questions to ask your dentist or pediatrician

Take these to a check-up.

• Is my child's grinding within normal range for their age?
• Are their teeth showing any wear?
• Could teething, allergies or sleep problems be involved?
• Would any of their medicines contribute?
• When should we come back to re-check?

Frequently asked questions