Many parents feel concerned when they notice their baby grinding teeth during sleep or while awake. Infants worldwide often experience this temporary habit—known as bruxism—during their first year of life. Grinding the teeth may be unsettling to hear, but our specialist paediatric dentistry team at Brisbane Paediatric Dentist can help you understand this common behaviour in children of all ages and identify effective solutions for your child’s teeth or jaw concerns. Let’s get into some treatments to stop a baby from grinding.
Key Takeaways
- Baby teeth grinding (bruxism) is usually harmless and temporary—most kids outgrow bruxism naturally by age 5.
- Most grinding is caused by pain from teething, developing jaw alignment, or as part of normal dental exploration when babies get their first tooth.
- Simple remedies like appropriate teething toys and establishing a calming bedtime routine can help your baby stop grinding their teeth.
- Persistent grinding beyond age 3 or grinding accompanied by visible tooth wear warrants a paediatric dentistry consultation.
- Regular dental check-ups, beginning when your child’s first teeth emerge, can help monitor any potential concerns.
What is Baby Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
Bruxism in babies is the involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth that occurs in infants and young children. This dental behaviour involves repetitive jaw-muscle activity that creates an audible grinding sound, particularly during sleep. Teeth grinding or bruxism is common in children, with the International Classification of Sleep Disorders classifying sleep bruxism as a “sleep-related movement disorder.”
Babies may grind their teeth in two distinct clinical forms:
| Type | Occurrence | Primary Characteristics | Common in Babies? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep Bruxism | Often during sleep | Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity, grinding sounds | More common |
| Awake Bruxism | While awake | Usually involves clench movements, rarely produces sounds | Less common |
Most cases of baby teeth grinding are mild, and children outgrow teeth grinding naturally as dental development progresses. At Brisbane Paediatric Dentist, we understand that hearing these sounds can be worrying, but we want to reassure parents that temporary bruxism rarely causes lasting damage to your baby’s developing teeth or jaw.
Why do Babies Grind Their Teeth?
Teething discomfort is directly linked to a baby grinding new teeth in many cases. As each tooth emerges, babies experience gum inflammation and pressure that they instinctively try to relieve through grinding. This grinding behaviour provides counter-pressure against sore gums, temporarily alleviating the pain from teething.
This response is particularly common in a 9-month-old grinding teeth or when a 1-year-old grinding teeth is going through the eruption of the first molars (around 12-16 months), when babies are discovering how to bring their upper and lower teeth together.
How does Jaw Development Affect Grinding?
Jaw development and dental alignment significantly influence tooth grinding patterns in babies. During normal development, a baby’s upper and lower teeth don’t always align perfectly as they emerge. This temporary malocclusion or misaligned teeth can trigger grinding as the baby’s central nervous system works to find a comfortable position for their developing bite.
What Role Does Sleep Play in Baby Teeth Grinding?
Sleep patterns directly influence how to stop baby grinding teeth during sleep, with most grinding episodes occurring during sleep transitions. Babies experience more REM sleep than adults, resulting in more frequent sleep transitions throughout the night that can trigger involuntary muscle movements, including jaw clenching and grinding.
Can Stress Affect Babies’ Teeth Grinding?
Stress and anxiety can influence teeth grinding even in babies and toddlers who grind their teeth. When experiencing heightened emotions or environmental changes, the nervous system may trigger involuntary responses like teeth grinding. This connection explains why grinding may increase during periods of adjustment, such as starting childcare or experiencing changes at home.
How can Parents Help Stop Baby Teeth Grinding?
Parents can help stop teeth grinding in children and babies through teething relief, bedtime routines, and environmental changes. Let’s look at these approaches in more detail!
What Teething Relief Methods Work Best?
Teething relief methods that effectively help your baby stop grinding teeth include providing appropriate teething toys, cold therapy, and gentle gum massage. Silicone or rubber teethers offer resistance that satisfies the grinding urge while redirecting it away from teeth-on-teeth contact. A cold teething ring particularly helps by numbing sore gums while providing pressure relief.
Based on our clinical evaluation of various teething products, we recommend these options for different grinding patterns:
| Teether Type | Best For | Grinding Relief Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Natural rubber | Moderate grinding | High |
| Silicone ring | Mild grinding | Moderate |
| Water-filled | Intense grinding | Very high |
| Wooden | Sensory-seeking | Moderate |
Brisbane paediatric dental specialists recommend these specific approaches as a remedy for how to stop a baby from grinding teeth:
- Natural rubber teethers that are soft yet provide adequate resistance
- Silicone teethers with different textured surfaces for varied sensory input
- Clean, damp washcloths chilled in the refrigerator (not freezer) for supervised chewing
- Gentle circular gum massage using a clean finger or infant toothbrush
How can Parents Create a Calming Bedtime Routine?
Parents can create effective calming bedtime routines by establishing consistent sleep schedules, incorporating relaxation activities, and optimizing the sleep environment. Structured routines signal to babies that sleep time is approaching, helping their nervous systems prepare for rest and potentially reducing sleep-related grinding episodes.
Our Brisbane sleep specialists suggest these specific routine elements to help stop baby grinding teeth during day and night:
- Begin the bedtime sequence at the same time each night
- Dim lights 30 to 45 minutes before intended sleep time
- Include gentle physical contact through massage or rocking
- Maintain a comfortable room temperature (20-22 °C)
- Use white noise to mask potential disruptive sounds
What Environment Changes Can Reduce Grinding?
Environmental modifications that can reduce teeth grinding include maintaining optimal bedroom temperature, minimizing sensory stimulation, and ensuring proper humidity levels. The sleep environment significantly influences sleep quality, with well-regulated conditions reducing sleep disruptions that often trigger grinding episodes.
At Brisbane Paediatric Dentist, we recommend these specific environmental adjustments to help get the baby to stop grinding teeth:
- Maintain bedroom temperature between 20-22 °C
- Use blackout curtains or blinds to create a sufficiently dark sleep space
- Consider a humidifier if dry air is causing nasal or throat irritation
- Remove stimulating toys or electronics from the sleep environment
- Position the cot away from household noise sources
Unique Approaches to Managing Baby Teeth Grinding
There are a few other ways to help when your baby is grinding their teeth before their permanent teeth come in, such as jaw massage. Your child may find relief in gentle massage, and it can go a long way in the healing journey.
How can Jaw Massage Help Reduce Grinding?
Gentle jaw massage techniques can effectively help stop grinding by relaxing the masticatory muscles and relieving tension patterns. Appropriate massage helps release muscle tension that may be contributing to grinding habits. For babies and toddlers, these techniques involve gentle, circular movements along the jaw using clean fingertips.
Based on our clinical experience at Brisbane Paediatric Dentist, effective jaw massage for babies who grind their teeth includes:
- Gentle circular motions along the jawline using the pad of one finger
- Light sweeping movements from the ear toward the chin
- Warm compress application for 1 to 2 minutes before massage
- Sessions lasting only 1 to 2 minutes, 2 to 3 times daily
- Performing a massage during calm, quiet times
What is the Connection Between Tongue-Tie and Teeth Grinding?
Restricted tongue movement from a tight lingual frenulum can alter proper tongue resting position, potentially contributing to altered jaw mechanics and compensatory grinding patterns in developing infants. Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) and teeth grinding share a significant but often overlooked relationship in infant oral development.
When tongue mobility is restricted, infants may grind their teeth to relieve the tension created by the abnormal oral posture, leading to bruxism in children. This compensatory mechanism sometimes manifests as what appears to be typical grinding behaviour. This unique insight is something many parents need to know about baby grinding that isn’t commonly discussed.
Is Baby Teeth Grinding Harmful?
Yes, baby teeth grinding can be harmful, but not always. Parents should be concerned about a teeth grinding baby when specific clinical indicators appear. Based on our clinical experience, we’ve developed this assessment framework:
- Green Zone (Normal): Occasional grinding during teething, no visible wear, no distress
- Yellow Zone (Monitor): Regular grinding lasting more than 3 months, minor wear visible
- Orange Zone (Evaluate): Persistent grinding beyond major teething periods, moderate wear visible
- Red Zone (Treat): Grinding lasting beyond age 3, significant tooth damage, pain, or headaches
Most grinding behaviours naturally resolve as baby teeth fully emerge and jaw development progresses. However, if your child’s grinding causes them to frequently wake from sleep, results in visible tooth wear, seems to cause discomfort, or continues unabated after their third birthday, we recommend consulting a dentist.
What Damage Can Teeth Grinding Cause?
Teeth grinding or bruxism can potentially cause dental wear, enamel erosion, and temporomandibular joint stress when severe or prolonged. However, in most babies, temporary grinding rarely causes significant damage since primary teeth will eventually be replaced as children lose their baby teeth.
When Should You See a Paediatric Dentist?
Signs that indicate a dental visit is necessary include persistent grinding beyond age 3, visible tooth wear, complaints of jaw pain, or grinding accompanied by other developmental concerns. While most baby bruxism resolves naturally, these specific signs of bruxism suggest potential issues requiring professional assessment.
At Brisbane Paediatric Dentist, we recommend prompt assessment if you notice your baby or toddler showing these signs:
- Grinding that persists regularly for more than three months
- Visible changes to the shape or surface of your child’s teeth
- Your child is in pain or complaining of morning headaches or jaw discomfort
- Grinding occurs alongside disrupted sleep patterns
- Any changes in your child’s ability to open their mouth fully
What Will Happen During a Paediatric Dental Assessment?
During a paediatric dental assessment for teeth grinding, your child will receive a comprehensive examination of their dental development, bite alignment, and overall oral health. Our specialist paediatric dentists use gentle, child-friendly approaches to thoroughly evaluate all factors potentially contributing to grinding behaviour that may happen during the day or night.
Our examination includes:
- Evaluation of dental development and eruption sequence
- Assessment of jaw alignment and bite relationships
- Examination of tooth surfaces for wear patterns
- Checking the temporomandibular joint function
- Screening for potential airway or breathing concerns
Can Medications Affect Baby Teeth Grinding?
The cause of bruxism may include medications in older children. While rarely a concern in infants, as children grow and potentially receive medications for various conditions, certain pharmaceuticals have been associated with increased grinding behaviours.
Some amphetamine-based medications used to treat ADHD in older children have been linked to increased bruxism activity. This medical condition monitoring is essential as toddlers grow and may require medications for various conditions.
Brisbane Paediatric Dentist: The Bruxism Experts
At Brisbane Paediatric Dentist, we’re committed to providing comprehensive pediatric dentistry care for families. Our specialist paediatric dentists have advanced training in children’s oral health and development, making us uniquely qualified to help your baby stop grinding their teeth.
For parents concerned about their baby’s teeth grinding, we recommend scheduling an initial consultation at our Brisbane clinic. During this visit, we can assess your child’s dental development, discuss your specific concerns, and provide personalised guidance based on the latest evidence.
Remember that while teeth grinding can sound alarming, in most cases, children outgrow teeth grinding naturally as they grow. Our team is here to provide reassurance, monitoring, and intervention when necessary to support your child’s healthy dental development.
Know a parent worried about their baby’s teeth grinding? Refer them to us!
FAQs on How to Stop Baby Teeth Grinding
Is grinding teeth linked to autism?
Teeth grinding may be linked to autism, but it’s not a definitive symptom. Some children with autism may grind their teeth, particularly when stressed or overwhelmed. Signs of teeth grinding in children with autism often include grinding their teeth while awake or during sleep. However, the cause of teeth grinding is complex and varies for each individual.
Is teeth grinding a symptom of ADHD?
Teeth grinding may be a symptom of ADHD, though it’s not exclusive to this condition. Children with ADHD sometimes grind their teeth due to stress, anxiety, or impulsivity. However, bruxism in kids can have other causes, such as misaligned teeth or emotional triggers. A child grinding their teeth at night could also indicate sleep-related issues, like sleep bruxism in children.
Can diet impact teeth grinding?
Yes, diet can impact teeth grinding, especially if it’s high in sugar or caffeine. Certain foods and drinks can contribute to tooth sensitivity, which may cause grinding of their teeth during sleep. Additionally, a poor diet can lead to stress and anxiety, which are common causes of bruxism in kids. If a child’s teeth grinding persists, consulting a dentist about diet changes may help reduce it.
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