Teeth Grinding

My daughter did the same thing when she was teething and discovered the top and bottom teeth could touch and make really wonderful noises that drove mommy up the wall LOL
Ignore it and he will stop. At his age giving him any kind of attention for it is just going to make it more fun to do. It is completely normal, lots of kids his age do it. The vast majority stop and never have any issues with it again.
If you think that's bad, just wait until he learns how to gag himself LOL

Hi M.,

I'm a mom of 3 boys and yes teeth grinding especially playing we very common in my house. I think it's just because my boys liked the different sounds it would make. But either way once when I brought it to their attention and asked Why are you doing that? They would stop.

I think that if you try to bring it to his attention and let him know that it's not ok to do, he'll get it.

But by all means if it's getting worse ask your child's doctor or seek dental help. Depending on how often he does it and when he does it will determined if this is because he's excited to play with toys or if there is a medical problem going on.

I'm thinking it's more that he's excited and that he does not know that it's not ok to do.

Good luck, Please post to let us know how it went for you both.

L.

Since you live in Chicago--call Children's Memorial Hosp and see a pediatric dentist. My guess is they will recommend a dental guard or perhaps address some stress or other reason he may be grinding.. Quite sure they have seen it before and would be a good place to get real answers.

my daughter started to grind her teeth when she was about 2. i have asked 2-3 different dentists what i should do... all of their answers where similar. there is really nothing that can be done, she is too young for a 'bit' and she will grow out of it. well, she just turned 6 and it has stopped dramatically. although i can still hear it at night when she is very over tired. when this happened i would go to the child and rub her face or even put my finger in her mouth. she usually stops. it will end i hope. my son never did it but when he is over tired he is a chatter box in his sleep. so i guess every child has different 'ticks'. good luck and try not to worry, its normal.

My oldest would grind so loud she'd wake me up over the baby monitor at night! Dentist said she'd grow out of it, but to watch MY stress levels. Well, after the birth of my second child, we decided I'd stay home for awhile. She stopped grinding almost immediately.

My youngest, now almost 2, has Downs Syndrome and grinds constantly. Her speech and occupational therapiest say it is sending messages to her brain about the strength and location of the new teeth, part of the process of learning to chew solids for some kids. I've tried teething rings of all types, and she's not interested. They've suggested allowing her to chew on my finger (carefully avoiding teeth if possible) or providing gentle pressure on the jaw joint, rubbing and pulling it forward slightly. Saying things like, "No grinding" repeatedly as I'm doing these things.

I asked our pediatric specialist from Riley if she had any advice or ways to stop it. She laughed and said if I discovered something to stop it, I could make lots of money.
Well, I'm not rich, but she is doing it less. She also now does respond to me just saying, "No grinding" without doing anything else...SOMETIMES. :)

Good luck.

I know he is little but you can talk to him a little and make him aware by telling him not to grind and show him how. It is hard to get the message across to someone so little. Usually there is a reason why they do this: one insecurity, wet diaper, thirsty, hungry, etc... Look in to why you think he is doing this. Is something bothering him that he cannot communicate to you.... It's a tough one. He is too young for a mouthgaurd. Changing his sleep position can also help. Hope it helps..

Hi M.,
Ahhhhhh! Nails on a chalkboard is right. There is nothing that I can't stand more. I was very firm with my kids (a little obsessive, perhaps), but it worked.

Whenever my boys started to grind their teeth, I put my hand on their mouth and told them very firmly "NO!" It did not take very long for them to get it.

I do however think that it is normal. But normal or not, the sound sends chills down my spine.

B. :-)

My son used to grind his teeth really hard while sleeping, when he was one to three years old. Our dentist said that grinding during sleep is usually a sign of stress in adults, but that he wasn't sure what the cause would be for a child. Either way, my son stopped doing it after a few years, so I guess it was just a phase of some sort.

Just know you're not alone, and that it stopped for us, so perhaps your child will stop doing it eventually too.