Toddler Teeth Grinding

Babies grinding teeth…?

I noticed this morning that my son has been grinding his teeth(he only has 3…2 bottom and 1 top that isn’t all the way out yet)
He hasn’t done it a lot, and I’m sure he is just getting used to having teeth.
My question is, when does it become a problem? And how do you stop a baby or toddler from grinding…or do you even bother? It doesn’t bother me, but I don’t want him to do any damage or anything. And since he is going to lose these teeth anyway, can he still do damage somehow?

Generally its not a problem until they have permanent teeth.

Baby teeth are temporary (obviously) but they also have very little pulp so they can grind, chip, break (from falls), etc a lot more before its a problem (allegedly)

You SHOULD take your baby to a dentist 6 months after the eruption of their first tooth or 12 months of age whichever is earliest. If your baby is grinding excessively there will be signs of damage and the dentist can advise you, however this behaviour is normal and rarely damages the teeth at all.

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/az40.asp

In general, grinding the baby teeth is not a problem. It is often a sign of teething, very likely for a 12 month old. When he starts losing his baby teeth, the grinding should stop (if it even lasts that long). If he is grinding his adult teeth, then that is a different story, and a dentist should be consulted to look for damage. He might suggest that a tooth guard be worn while sleeping.

http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=261

Like sucking on pacifiers and thumbs, grinding the teeth (called bruxism) is a common habit that usually disappears on its own as young children grow. The two peak periods of bruxism are as the baby teeth arrive in very young children and again at 5 or 6 as the permanent teeth begin to come in. Grinding could slowly damage the enamel of the teeth, but the baby teeth do not remain in place long enough for that to be a concern. The habit usually stops long before permanent damage to the adult teeth occurs. In the short run nothing needs to be done, but anything relaxing before bed might help (a warm bath, a backrub, some soothing music, some chamomile tea). If the bruxism continues, your dentist might provide a temporary appliance to break the habit of nighttime grinding.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_teeth-grinding-bruxism_11573.bc

Why does my toddler grind his teeth?

Experts don’t know for sure what causes teeth grinding, but they point fingers at tension or anxiety, pain (from earaches or teething, for example), and malocclusion (a dental term for when the teeth don’t line up just right). Some also suggest that allergies may play a role. And there’s some evidence that pinworms are sometimes the culprit. Finally, your toddler may just be getting used to the sensation of having teeth in his mouth.

Your child is a bit more likely to grind his teeth if you do. He’s also more likely to grind if he drools or talks in his sleep.

About 38 percent of children grind their teeth, according to a 2005 study published in the Journal of Dentistry for Children. The average age for starting the habit is around 3 1/2 years and the average age for stopping is 6 — though, of course, people of all ages grind their teeth. Almost all teeth grinding happens at night.
Is it bad for him?

In most cases, teeth grinding isn’t harmful. It’s very unlikely that your toddler’s doing any damage to his teeth, and it’s very likely that he’ll soon outgrow the habit. Mention it to his dentist, though, so she can check the teeth for wear and any resulting problems, like pulp exposure, cavities, and fractures.
Can I do anything to help him stop?

Although the noise is probably disconcerting, most likely you’ll just have to wait for your toddler to grow out of it. In the meantime, it won’t hurt to work on a soothing bedtime routine — maybe a leisurely soak in the tub, a little back rub, or extra cuddling in the rocking chair. If he’s teething or has an ear infection, consider giving him the proper dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the discomfort.

Older children are sometimes fitted with a night guard — a plastic device fitted to the mouth to prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth during sleep. But your child’s dentist probably won’t consider this an option until your child has at least some permanent teeth, around age 6.

Early sign of autism- hand flapping and teeth grinding