Baby Grinding Teeth!

My daughter also did this at about the same age---it lasted for the better part of a month and then she quit doing it. It bothered me, though, bc it sounded like they were just going to grind and break---worse than fingernails on a chalkboard!

Hi! I'm a dental hygienist, and I just wanted to reassure you that what all the other mom's have already said is correct--it is totally normal for young children to grind their teeth (however annoying it may be to the parents). My son did it for a couple of months while he was getting his front teeth, also. He has now stopped. However, some children will continue to grind (especially while they're sleeping) well into the elementary years. I've seen kids who have worn their baby teeth almost down to nubbins! We really don't worry about it, though. Strangely enough, a child who grinds his/her teeth does not necessarily develop into a teeth-grinding adult. It's a condition they usually outgrow, eventually (as their permanent teeth are coming in). Grinding in adults is a matter of concern and we make plastic guards for them to wear to protect their teeth, but in children it is considered completely normal. I hope this helps!

I took my son to the dentist when I was concerned about the same problem.

What I was told was

1) His enamel was healthy and strong so...
2) Don't worry about it.

It's part of the process of cutting teeth and figuring out whats going on in their mouths. If his enamel had been weak, the dentist said he'd recommend something, but as it was...it was better to do nothing. I never found out what the "something" was...although he did say to stay away from pacifiers immediately and to wean off bottles as soon as it was convenient. By 2 to 2 & 1/2 on the bottles. I love my dentist...18 mo to find a 'convenient' time!! Yay!!! (He'd raised 9 kids and untold grandbabies...so I guess he understood) The sound did however, nearly drive me nuts.

Summation: I would take your little one to the dentist if you're concerned, & to have the enamel looked at. She'll probably be fine.

~Z.

M.,
My son began doing that around 10-11 months as well. It drove me crazy (the sound), so I would reluctantly stick the binky back into his mouth. For him it was just a one time thing. It happened more than just one day, but one night he went to bed and the next day he stopped doing it. I think they are just playing with those new teeth. My doctor said that it would like stop and it did, but if it continues you will probably want to take her in. My neice who is 4 month younger did that same thing as my son.

Katrina

M.,

I think it's normal for young kids to grind their teeth. My 4 1/2 year old son did it when he was little. My daughter is doing it now and she's 16 months. I think it's another way for them to explore their world and figure out how things work. For me it sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard when she grinds her teeth while sitting in my lap. But I grit my teeth and try to ignore it and give her no reaction. She usually stops quickly (thankfully!!!).

I'd be concerned if you saw unusual wear on the teeth, like she doing it all the time. Otherwise I wouldn't worry too much.

Hope this helps,
Melissa

My son did the same thing about that age. He stoped after a few months. I think that it's just the facination that there is something new in their mouth and they are just exploring what they (teeth) can do. It's perfectly normal at that age. I didn't take my son to the doctor.

Teeth grinding is totally normal. It's a new thing to do, but she'll eventually find something else to attract her attention. (Two of my three boys liked to grind their teeth when they first grew 'em. The little squeaks drove me bonkers until they discovered something else to do!)

Grinding - from what I have learned with my 15 month old who started teething at about 7-8 months - is totally part of it. We used a lot of soft toys for him to chew on as he wasn't fond of the plastic taste of all the teething toys...and they didn't always fit into where he needed the pressure once he got a tooth or two in.
He never took a pacifer either other than to pick one up on occassion and chew on it for about a whole minute. He did like to chew on his crib though.
His favorite chewies were actually the flowers from the Meilissa and Doug Flower Pot Spill and Fill. They had soft cloth stems on them so he could put them where he wanted and are washable!
He still picks them up and chews on them for his molars. Good Luck!!

I think every baby goes through that phase. It's a new thing. A new sensation and a new noise. It will pass. My daughter did it like crazy at that age, but it only lasted a few months. After she got more teeth in, most of the grinding stopped. She's 18 months now, and doesn't grind anymore at all. No biggie. :)

I think it's completely normal. My daughter has done it too... she will eventually stop on her own.

My 20 mos. old did that when he was your child's age and gnawed on his crib until the stain was removed. Ugh, poor baby. I didn't want him to get sick or worse splinters! We used teething tabs, Tylenol and teethers in the fridge. Plus, he chewed plastic barn animals and other toys. I made sure to clean his stuff regularly and he's stopped doing it. Good luck.

My son started getting teeth at 4 months. By the time he was 11 months, he had 12 teeth. He definitely went through a teeth grinding stage. We didn't really try to get him to stop. I think he was just experimenting wiht his new chompers. He stopped on his own after about 2 or 3 weeks. But- every new tooth brought some grinding- very short periods of time. He hated teeting toys- but perhaps your daughter would take those. Oh- and although he couldn't handle the toys- he loved and still loves (he's almost 2) to chew on his toothbrush. This obviously needs to be supervised... but it makes a fabulous chew toy for those painful gums.

Ever wonder how we all got rid of the ridges that help our teeth come through the gums? I think of it kind of like that thing that is on a chick's bill that helps it break through the egg. My 8 month old has been grinding her teeth for about 2 and a half weeks now and I cringe every time she does it but eventually she will quit :) I wouldn't worry unless she starts behaving as if her teeth are hurting her with cold/hot or sugar.

My daughter occasionally grinds her teeth. It was reassuring when I read in Parents magazine that it is normal because they are trying to get used to the feel of new teeth. It is a smaller possibility that teeth grinding is a sign of an ear infection.
Hope this helps.

My daughter also grinds her teeth. She is 2 now, but I noticed her teeth grinding when she was about 18 months. I was concerned and started doing my research. My older daughter had a normal dentist appt, so I asked the dentist and was assured that it is a normal part of development. He told me there was nothing that could be done, but the teeth grinding in toddlers doesn't usually cause any damage either. She will eventually grow out of it! Hopefully before it drives you absolutely bonkers.

My baby does this too!!! She is almost a year old (few weeks) and I don't think it's abnormal, but I really would like to know the answer to this question too. Please keep me posted on what you learn. I'm sure this is common, but is it good for their teeth is my question?

I have just not thought about weening her from the pacifier until she gets her teeth in fully, then if she continues, I will take her to her pediatrician.

Thank you.

Kim B.