My 18 Month Old Is Grinding Her Teeth in the Night

Updated on October 22, 2008
C.T. asks from Center Line, MI
10 answers

HELP!! I have noticed the last few nights that my 18 month old is grinding her teeth while she sleeps. She is teething, so I'm not sure if it's that or not. If anyone has any advice, I would love to hear it.

Thanks
C. T

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So What Happened?

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for all of your responses! I feel much better knowing that this is fairly normal?! I think for now we are just going to wait it out and see if she out grows it, who knows maybe when she is done getting those eye teeth in it will stop! Thanks again, I love Mamasource!

C. T

Featured Answers

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M.S.

answers from Detroit on

Hi C.,
Add us to the list.....my son did this also and it eventually stopped. I was told it was not uncommon in children and most will out grow it.
M.

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L.Y.

answers from Saginaw on

My daughter grinded her teeth when she was teething. She grew out of it and she doesn't anymore :)

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C.L.

answers from Detroit on

I grind my teeth and/or clench.. and I have a bite splint. My dentist was concerned because it wears on your teeth. I'd think in some aspects with babies it wouldn't matter too much cause they will get their 'adult' teeth later. My son will grind once in a while and it's extremely annoying to listen to, but like another writer said it seems to make it worse when you call attention to it.

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T.

answers from Detroit on

My son did this also and the dentist was not concerned. He said they will watch the teeth but it is quite common in kids!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My son did this for a while as well. He eventually stopped.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Detroit on

Hi C.
My son does the same thing - sometimes so loudly that I think that they are going to break!

I asked the dentist about it and he did check for any cracks, but didn't see any. He said that some kids just do that and that, for some reason, they seem to stop around when they get their permanant teeth.

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M.A.

answers from Detroit on

Hi C.,
Although it can be unnerving, actually a lot of young children grind their teeth at night. I was a dental hygienist for over 30 years, and we saw this many times. Usually the problem goes away with time, but sometimes children can cause damage and wear away the tooth enamel. If this persists after all her teeth are in, about age 2, and it appears that her teeth are wearing down, please take her to a pediatric dentist right away. We usually don't make bite splints for young children, but there may be something else going on that needs attention. For now, just hang tight and give it some time.
M.

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V.L.

answers from Detroit on

HI! My 11 1/2 year old daughter has been grinding her teeth since she was little. I asked the dentist about it and he isn't too concerned. He said when she is old enough we will get her guard to wear at night. I would really love to know WHY she does it...but as I stated she has done it for as long as I can remember. I would ask her doctor next time she has a check up..maybe your doctor will have a different answer!!

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C.C.

answers from Detroit on

hi, mine (same age) has been grinding on and off for months. Doct says they usually grow out of it. Not much you can do. When they get older if its still an issue your dentist may suggest a mouth guard (specially formed for the individual) If you call too much attention to it now, kid may do it more so be careful on how you attempt to correct the behavior. another FYI, even as an adult, I've ground my own teeth in my sleep for years n years... dentist says I have great teeth regardless. just be sure to let your ped know at your next appt.

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S.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I just want to add that apparently grinding can run in the family. My father has always been a grinder (he wears a bite splint to bed) and I have been since I can remember. I also wear a bite splint to bed, but since I grind so hard, I have actually had my jaw lock on me and after a year of therapy, etc., it had to be fixed surgically. Unfortunately, the surgery was not a fix-all and after 2 years it is starting to lock up again. Now, both my sons are also grinding. I know this does go away for many children, but for others it is very serious. Especially since my insurance classifies it as TMJ and will only pay for 50% of my treatments from a physician and nothing for treatments from a dentist!

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