Listening to the scraping sound of your baby’s teeth can be alarming and cause concern. Baby teeth grinding is a common but potentially harmful habit that infants may develop. It is necessary to employ the appropriate strategies to combat this habit to prevent long-term damage.
About 2 or 3 children out of every 10 suffer from the ill effects of pediatric teeth grinding. Infants may even begin grinding their teeth in their sleep, known as sleeping bruxism. Your baby is usually not even consciously adopting the practice.
Constant grinding may lead to jaw pain and teeth damage, necessitating timely intervention. In this article, we will take an in-depth look into teeth grinding in babies and how to stop it. Let us have a look.
Table of Contents
What is Teeth Grinding or Bruxism?
Teeth grinding or bruxism refers to repetitive clenching or grinding of teeth. This is of two types, namely, waking bruxism and sleep bruxism. Sleep bruxism is usually common in children and is also called toddler teeth grinding. More than 80% of children with sleep bruxism may not even realize they are grinding their teeth during sleep. However, the sound produced by constant grinding may cause sleep disturbances and further lead to:
- Eating disorders.
- Sleep problems.
- Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder.
- Fractured teeth, receding gums, and other problems associated with teeth and jaw.
Why Do Kids Grind their Teeth?
Baby teeth grinding may be due to a combination of family history and psychological and environmental factors. If teeth grinding runs in your family, there is a high chance that your child will also grind their teeth. Many factors may lead to bruxism in children, such as:
Stress
Stress is directly linked to teeth grinding. For a lot of children, high levels of stress-related hormones leads to bruxism. Studies have shown that toddlers who develop separation anxiety tend to suffer from sleep bruxism.
Other Sleep and Mental Health Disorders
In addition to stress and anxiety, baby teeth grinding may also be due to certain medical conditions, including migraines or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with neurodevelopmental disorders or autism spectrum disorders may also experience bruxism.
Dental Issues
Teeth grinding is also common in children with misaligned teeth. As per the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, bruxism may also occur in children who breathe primarily through their mouth.
How to Stop Baby Teeth Grinding?
As a parent, it is natural to be concerned about your children grinding their teeth at night and the sounds they make. While many children outgrow this condition naturally, some may not. Therefore, it is important to address the underlying issues and make bruxism manageable for both you and your child.
Here are some handy tips that you can try:
Sleep Hygiene and Bedtime Routine
Teeth grinding is closely linked to sleep quality. Hence, make sure that you also pay attention to improving your child’s sleep by making their room dark and quiet and limiting the time they spend on electronic gadgets. Moreover, providing them with a healthy and nutritious meal with low added sugars can also help them get a good night’s sleep.
In addition, create a bedtime routine for your child and stick to it. If your child is unable to sleep at a specific time, you can plan a soothing bedtime activity, including:
- Singing a lullaby or soft music.
- Reading stories.
- Cuddling with the child.
- Taking a warm bath.
- Brushing teeth.
Stress Relief
Managing stress can also help in decreasing teeth grinding. Remove potential sources of external stress for your baby and foster a calm environment where they can feel safe.
Nightguards
If your child is experiencing intense teeth grinding, the dentist may fit a nightguard or splint to protect their teeth while they sleep. The guard, which may fit over the top or bottom teeth, is designed to reposition the jaw and shield the teeth from friction. While nightguards and splints are not permanent solutions, they can provide temporary relief for your child’s condition.
Talk to the Doctor
If you suspect that your child’s teeth grinding is caused by a serious medical condition, consult your doctor immediately. They may recommend a treatment or medication to address the issue.
Conclusion
Baby teeth grinding can worry parents, but it’s important to remember that the condition is typically temporary. Recovery and weaning off the habit hinges on early intervention and appropriate stress-relief strategies.
Stop Your Baby from Teeth Grinding Today with Brooklyn Blvd Dental
If your baby is presenting with the associated risks of teeth grinding, consult the specialists at Brooklyn Blvd Dental. Symptoms may present even before you notice the bruxism, so it’s wise to consult our pediatric dentists to diagnose your infant and develop a care routine for prolonged wellness.
You can contact us at (763) 533-8669 or schedule an appointment with us online.
You can also visit us at 5831 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429.
