Teeth Grinding??

It sounds like the baby is getting it from modeling after other immediate family members. It will be tough stopping that one without family support.

My daughter was doing this each time I heard her doing it I talked to her. About pretty teeth and ugly teeth. I also would remind her that it was ugly to do that and unappropriate. She'd give me a look but I knew she was listening. I never yelled or spanked her nor tell her to stop. I would just stay persistant about grinding teeth was bad. It worked after a month.

Glad to see you and mommy working together on this. I clicked on this subject because my now 9mo old has been grinding her teeth throughout the day for a couple of weeks now, she has six teeth. It's bruxism- and even in Parents magazine it says it is probably normal at this age. Teeth are just new to them and they are doing something natural. Sure- worry about it later if it becomes a problem. But I just couldn't believe some of the comments on here. Especially the one telling you that you have no business to bring it up. HELLO! Caregivers are people that moms choose to take care of the children- and I would always welcome every bit of advice or comments that my caregiver can give me. It's bad enough that I can't be with my baby 24/7, I would want someone to be like you and bring it up. People are so funny with their advice sometimes. Good for you to watch out for this little one!

M.,

When my son was about 2 or 3 I noticed he would also grind his teeth at night but not during the day. I did call the dentist and they told me that there wasn't anything they could do until he was alot older and could fit him with a mouth piece that he could wear at night to protect his teeth. His father did it also. That was 12 years ago. Maybe they have come up with something new. I think sometimes babies just like to hear it or feel it when they grind their teeth. I also have a 6 year old who did it when he was little during the day, but not at night, but he outgrew it.

Hi M., once a physician told me that when children grind their teeth parasites may be present. You may want to have her stool tested. There are more reasons to am sure but you may want to ask your Pedi.

Good luck,
Elisa

As a Dental Hygienist I can tell you that at 8 months, it is normal. A baby needs to learn that they have teeth on the upper and lower were as before they did not. It will go away and may reappear around 5-6 years old. This is when they will usually start to lose those first baby teeth. I don't know about the "parasites" or the "silicone deficency", but I do know that grinding teeth is a normal behavior for a baby. Once they get used to having teeth it will stop. My oldest (now 7) used to grind and a few of his baby molars show signs of grinding, but he is fine and so are his teeth. Children usually don't need a "Night Guard" because the grinding (around 5-6) is usually the body's way of loosening the ligiments for the primary "baby" teeth to come out. As adults, yes a nightguard can be used to help protect the teeth. Sometimes adults may wear their nightguards durning the day also to help with clenching or grinding. Hope that helps to calm your fears about the baby grinding, but it is normal and healthy for a child.

My son is 5 and he has always grinded his teeth and the dentist says he will eventually grow out of it and doesn't need a gridplate for sleeping since it is only effecting his baby teeth. He doesn't do it as much as he did when he was 2 or 3. They say not to worry unless it effects the permanant teeth.

I think you did what you should by making the Mother aware of it. I would say don't worry about it. Teeth are very strong and will not wear down to nubs or fall out!

If this is something that her father and brother do, it may be a learned behavior, or it can be some kind of action that makes her teeth/jaw/gums feel good (also technically a learned behavior). Either way, if it really bothers you, you can give her some kind of teething toy. Make sure it is a hard rubber one (they have stuffed animals with textured hard rubber feet and hands)and not one designed for infants that she can bite plastic pieces off. No water filled ones for example. Make sure to keep a close eye on it and her, as baby teeth are rather like razors and can shear off pieces of plastic and pose a choking hazzard. Good luck.

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lannettet

Hi M.,teeth gritting is a sign of a silicon deficiency. Other common symptoms are nose picking and nail biting. Silicon is a mineral found in many foods. Supplements are available at a health food store.Since the dad and brother grind their teeth also, it is not surprising that the baby does. HTH C.

There is nothing you can do - I, along with my 3 year old son, grind my teeth. There is nothing that can be done to stop it at night (according to research and all of the dentist I have seen and sent my son to.) You can wear a night guard but that only keeps you from damaging your teeth it doesn't stop the grinding. As for doing the day, becoming aware and trying to modify the behavior is the only solution and at 8 months old this is hard to do. It takes a long time to grind down a tooth, this set will be gone before true damage is done.

My son went through this phase. My niece did too. There's not much you can do. I know it sounds horrible and you do worry about their teeth. I have read recently that it is normal. What I did when my son would start grinding his teeth is give him something to put in his mouth (pacifier, teether, etc.). It didn't make him stop altogether (although he eventually stopped), but it did put a stop to it at that moment.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. She is just exploring those new objects in her mouth. you can try distracting her, but don't make a big deal about it--it's normal!

My daughter did that too at about that age. I think that it feels good to them because they are teething. I worried about about it for a couple of weeks. Just when I was going to make a Dr's appointment, it stopped.
If I were you, just keep an eye on it. I would be willing to bet that it will stop just as quick as it started.

Just my opinion,

Margaret

How in the world can an eight month old girl be grinding her teeth??? She barely has any if she does at all. Some babies actually make sucking noises in their sleep and this is probably what you are hearing. It is soothing to the the baby so please do not do anything to "nip it in the bud." Besides that, you are not the parent nor are you a dental professional, and it is not your responsibility. This horrifies me to think a babysitter would make these kinds of decisions for my child.

M.,

Was just at the dentist, pediatric dentist and mentioned my son, now 5, grinds his teeth. She said it was a mechanism that kids will use sometimes when they have drainage from their sinuses, it seems to help them "swallow" the drainage.