How to stop baby from grinding teeth?
Bruxism may be an inevitable experience for certain infants, yet it is reassuring to know that this condition generally poses no harm and has a tendency to resolve on its own. As infants are in their early developmental stages and consistently evolving, inhibiting the habit of teeth grinding through remedies such as night guards is usually not necessary, unlike adults.
Although the sound of tooth grinding is undoubtedly unpleasant, it is a prevalent condition among developing infants. However, parents can take a rest in the fact that this issue typically decreases as their child’s teeth continue to develop. Should you have any concerns regarding your baby’s bruxism, it is advisable to consult your pediatric dentist. Seeking their professional advice will ensure that you receive personalized guidance and reassurance that your baby’s teeth and jaw are not affected by this condition.
Although a vast majority of infants eventually outgrow bruxism, if the behavior appears to be excessively frequent, it may be advisable to intervene and take measures to control it. To prevent an infant from grinding their teeth, it is advisable to offer them teething alternatives. A teething device will aid in satisfying their urge to bite, significantly decreasing the likelihood of teeth grinding.
There are a variety of teething toys available to aid in preventing baby teeth grinding. These toys come in various shapes and materials such as plastic (free from BPA), wood, ice teethers, and silicone options. Your baby can safely use these toys to gnaw on while avoiding tooth grinding.
Providing your infant with a hygienic and comfortable chewable item can potentially decrease their tendency to grind teeth. The act of chewing or biting down may offer solace for infants experiencing the emergence of new teeth, thus even a moistened or chilled washcloth can serve as an effective source of relief.
Here’s What to Know about Baby Grinding Teeth
Based on information from KidsHealth, a considerable 20-30 percent of children suffer from the tendency to grind their teeth. The medical condition associated with this habit is known as Bruxism, referring to the act of clenching or grinding one’s teeth. Bruxism has a range of symptoms that may manifest in the form of rhythmic contractions in the jaw muscles, jaw pain and tightness, possible popping in the jaw area, and headaches.
Determining if your baby is grinding their teeth can be achieved by listening intently. Typically, the sound resembles the rasping of fine sandpaper while during instances of repetitive clenching (which commonly occurs during slumber), a faint rattling or grating noise may be audible.
Kindly observe your infant or young child’s behavior to determine whether they are clenching their mouth or preferring one side more than the other during their waking hours. They may be teething and growing new teeth.
What Causes Baby Teeth Grinding
It has been observed that if the parents grinds their teeth, then there are higher chances of the child also demonstrating similar behavior. Such grinding is more prevalent in children with evident neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy.
There is no need to worry as tooth grinding in babies does not necessarily imply that they are having a nightmare while sleeping. Nevertheless, an increase in stress and anxiety can contribute to the problem of teeth grinding among infants.
Tooth grinding is most frequently observed during sleep, but it is not uncommon for babies to grind their teeth while awake.