As babies begin teething, they may begin to grind their teeth while awake, asleep or both. Teeth grinding — called bruxism — is a fairly common issue. According to medical experts, 20 to 30 percent of children grind their teeth or clench their jaw, often during sleep or as a reaction to stress. Show
As a parent, you may be concerned if you notice your baby has made a habit of grinding their teeth. While it’s not an emergency phenomenon and most children grow out of it naturally, you’ll want to handle their bruxism early to prevent tooth damage and decay. Call to Schedule A Dental Appointment Why Does My Baby Grind Their Teeth?What does it mean when babies grind their teeth? Bruxism can be caused by a number of different factors. Babies grind their teeth because of a number of different factors, such as:
When it comes to babies who are too young to communicate their discomfort, it can be difficult for parents to realize their child is in pain, particularly if the grinding happens while they’re asleep. Instead, you’ll probably be able to hear the telltale sounds of their teeth rubbing together. Don’t panic — this is normal! Nothing is wrong with your baby, and in many cases, the condition will go away on its own. However, there are a few different methods to ease or prevent tooth grinding, which we’ll explore below. Symptoms of Teeth GrindingIf your baby has bruxism, the first symptom you will probably notice is intense grinding at nighttime or when your baby is napping. You might also notice your baby making subtle jaw clenching motions or grinding the teeth in the daytime hours when they are awake. This can be hard to be certain of. Some general symptoms that may indicate your child has bruxism include:
Problems Bruxism Can CauseIf your baby is bruxing while asleep, it can be hard for you to know. A pediatric dentist will be able to check the condition of your baby’s teeth for indicators that bruxism may be occurring. The short-term effects of bruxism in babies include:
The long-term effects of bruxism in babies include:
You’ll be happy to hear that bruxism is not a major cause for concern. While it’s best to catch it and intervene early to prevent potential tooth damage, the condition is not a significant health risk to your baby because children outgrow teeth grinding naturally. Formal treatment is unnecessary in most cases, but you can help ease your baby into a more restful sleep with a few soothing techniques for relieving infant tooth grinding. Give your baby a teething toy to help ease their gums. You can find teethers in many materials, including rubber, soft wood and soothing ice designs. Or, do a little homemade DIY magic with a cool, damp washcloth for your baby to chew on. How Chronic Bruxism Is TreatedSo, is it OK for your baby to grind their teeth? If your baby is a chronic grinder, seeking treatment with a pediatric dentist could be the best option. A baby developing TMJ from frequent tooth grinding is an extreme scenario, but it is possible and does require treatment. Chipped teeth, gum swelling, injuries, pain, soreness, earache and headache in the temples are other problems to address. If you suspect chronic bruxism, your dentist will look for a wear pattern on the child’s teeth consistent with the diagnosis. Jaw misalignment sometimes results in an aggressive bruxism habit, which leads to specific wear areas on the enamel. If a medication or medical condition is suspected to contribute to the child’s bruxism, a pediatrician can help by changing current medications or prescribing a medication to treat a condition. Schedule A Dental Exam How to Stop a Baby From Grinding Their TeethFor some babies, bruxism might be unavoidable. The good news is that bruxism is usually harmless and self-limiting, meaning it will go away on its own. Because babies are young and constantly growing, there is often no need to stop them from grinding their teeth with remedies like night guards, as many adults do. While tooth grinding is definitely hard to listen to, you can rest assured that it is a common condition for growing babies and will lessen as your child grows in more teeth. If you’re concerned, speak to your pediatric dentist about your baby’s bruxism. They can offer personalized advice and check to make sure there’s been no harm done to your baby’s teeth or jaw. Contact Fox Kids Dentistry for a Pediatric Consultation in PortlandIf you have any concerns about your baby’s bruxism or other child dentistry questions, Fox Kids Dentistry is just a phone call away. Give us a call at (503) 223 -5039. We specialize in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in the Portland area, and we bring a dedicated blend of expertise and care to each family we serve. Schedule a pediatric consultation today to begin — no referrals needed! Call to Schedule A Dental Appointment Disclaimer This blog serves to provide general information about dentistry topics to help answer your questions. The above content is for informational purposes but is not intended to be a replacement for medical advice from a licensed pediatrician or pediatric dentist. If you have a dental concern for yourself, your child or another adult, please schedule a consultation with us so you can speak with a dentist. Is it normal for babies to grind their teeth while awake?As babies begin teething, they may begin to grind their teeth while awake, asleep or both. Teeth grinding — called bruxism — is a fairly common issue. According to medical experts, 20 to 30 percent of children grind their teeth or clench their jaw, often during sleep or as a reaction to stress.
Why do babies grind their teeth during the day?Babies often grind their teeth to relieve the pain of their new teeth coming in. Providing your child with any of the following remedies should help relieve their pain: Soft rubber teethers that are conforming to your child's mouth. Cold rubber teething toys that can ease pain from teeth coming in.
How do I stop my baby from grinding his teeth during the day?If you have a toddler or baby grinding teeth in response to teething, you can try offering a teething toy for them to chew on. Counterpressure alleviates some of the discomfort of a tooth coming in, so chewing on things helps. For a DIY teether, you can give them a moistened, chilled wash cloth to chew on.
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