Baby Teeth Grinding
Shortly after your baby's teeth come through, you might get another surprise: the sound of your baby's gnashers grinding against each other! This is medically referred to as bruxism, and is very common, affecting approximately 1 in 3 babies. It is especially common for babies to grind their teeth when their front teeth come through, as a way of relieving pressure on their gums, usually around 10 months of age. They also do it because they can! It's something new they've discovered their body can do, and enjoy trying out the feel and sound of grinding their teeth. If either of their parents or other caregivers grind their teeth, they are more likely to do it themselves as babies naturally imitate what others do. Malocclusion, which is improper alignment of the top and bottom teeth, is also a cause.
Why Does My Baby Grind His Teeth?
For some babies, teeth grinding is triggered by feeling tense or anxious. Events such as starting nursery, weaning off the breast, moving home, can trigger teeth grinding. In these babies, most of the teeth grinding happens at night. Although you can't make your baby stop, you can help him outgrow this habit by spending extra time getting him relaxed for bed. Establish a soothing bedtime routine, incorporating activities such as a relaxing bath, soothing songs before bedtime, lots of cuddles and kisses, a story, and having a favourite comforter in their cot (see our article on sleeping with dummies and comforters). You could also try giving your baby a massage before bed- studies have found that gently massaging a baby before bed can make them sleep more soundly, as it relaxes them. In the daytime, avoid situations which make your baby feel upset, like letting new people hold her if she doesn't like it, and make sure there's nothing in your baby's day which may make them feel overly anxious.
How Can I Help Him?
Pain can cause babies to grind their teeth, so look out for signs of an ear infection or take him to see a doctor. If your baby's teeth grinding is due to teething, give him the correct dose of painkillers designed for babies and offer your baby chilled teething rings and toys to chew on.
Is It Bad For Him?
Teeth grinding isn't bad for your baby, but take him to see a dentist who can check for signs of wear and tear on the teeth. Don't tell your baby off for teeth grinding, as this will make him feel more anxious. Most babies outgrow this habit fairly quickly, but if your child is still grinding their teeth by the time they get their permanent teeth, their dentist might fit them with a teeth guard for nighttimes.
