Toddler Teeth Grinding: Should You be Worried?

It’s not only adults who can develop a habit of grinding their teeth at night — toddlers can too. Have you ever noticed your child moving their mouth around at night or heard the click-clacking of their teeth? This may be a sign of toddler teeth grinding at night.

This activity can usually start as young as 6 months old or whenever their teeth start to come in. You don’t have to worry too much about your baby experiencing stress as the cause of the grind because it’s usually just a result of them trying out their new teeth. However, it’s still important to get your toddler into an appointment with a pediatric dentist to help diagnose and treat the problem. Here are some things to understand about toddler teeth grinding.

Why Toddlers Grind their Teeth

Grinding teeth isn’t completely uncommon for toddlers — about 3 out of 10 children develop this habit. There are a few possibilities as to why toddlers grind their teeth including the fact that they just got these new chompers in their mouth and they’re likely just testing or feeling them out.

Other reasons could be that their teeth aren’t properly aligned or they’re doing it as a way to relieve some type of pain either from their teeth or ears. Stress and anxiety could also be a factor, especially if the baby is undergoing a big transition in the home. This is why it’s really important to make sure the toddler is participating in enough soothing activities. In more serious cases, it may be a result of a specific medical condition or a medication they’re taking.

The Effects of Toddler Teeth Grinding

In most cases, toddlers will grow out of grinding their teeth as their baby teeth fall out and new teeth come in. However, if their jaw or teeth are misaligned they may continue this poor habit into adulthood. This can cause the breakdown of enamel, headaches, and jaw pain. If the problem persists and your child becomes irritable from the pain, it’s important to take them to a pediatric dentist to see what your best option of a solution may be for the child.

Treatment Options

Treatment for a toddler grinding their teeth at night is usually dependent on the cause. Once you have figured out why your toddler is grinding their teeth, you can proceed with correcting the issue. If grinding is being caused by misalignment, you may need to get your child a mouth guard to wear at night. This particular mouthguard is made to be worn to protect teeth from grinding at night and is very thin and flexible. Nightguards can be tricky though, as toddlers could find them uncomfortable and unwilling to wear them. In addition, their teeth are going to constantly be changing at this age, so you may need to continue getting new mouth guards as they outgrow them. In this case, it’s almost better to wait it out. Eventually, you can correct misalignment with braces when they’re old enough.

If your toddler is grinding their teeth due to some type of medication their on, consult their doctor to find out about other medication options.

On the other hand, if teeth grinding is due to stress, try to establish a bit of a routine with them. Incorporating some soothing activities throughout the day that establish a ritual can help bring more peace and calm to a child. You can do these activities, such as a bath, some snuggle time, or reading time, right before bed to help them sleep more easily.

Pediatric Dentist Downtown Los Angeles

If your child continues to have issues grinding their teeth, take them to see a professional. A pediatric dentist will be able to carefully look at your child’s teeth to determine any misalignment with their teeth or any wear or tear they may be experiencing. Don’t hesitate to call Samaritan Dental today or visit our website to find out more about our dental hygienic options.