How to Get Babies to Stop Grinding Their Teeth
Babies grinding their teeth is not uncommon. It is referred to as bruxism and can occur during both day and nighttime.
Understand the Reason
The exact cause of teeth grinding in babies is unknown but it is suggested that some of the factors for this behavior include:
- Stress: Babies and toddlers can experience anxiety from having to adjust to so many new changes. Sometimes, this can manifest as tooth grinding.
- Teething: As babies teeth come in during their growing process, they can oftentimes grind their teeth as a way of relieving the teething discomfort.
- Sleep Habits: Teeth grinding in babies can be connected to disrupted or poor sleeping patterns or habits.
Take Preventative Measures
Parents can take measures to prevent or reduce teeth grinding in their babies and toddlers. These include:
- Identify & Address Stress: Help your child reduce stress by creating an environment where their needs and concerns are heard and valued.
- Provide Comfort for Teething: Offer your baby cold objects to chew on to help reduce teething pain and discomfort.
- Create a Sleep Schedule: Establish a regular bedtime routine to help establish better and more restful sleep patterns.
Seek Professional Help
It is important to discuss your baby’s teeth grinding with their pediatrician to ensure there are no underlying health issues that may be causing the issue.
If their grinding is severe and is not improving, they may need to be referred to a dentist or orthodontist for further evaluation or treatment.
In the meantime, you can take small measures to comfort and reassure your baby that their teeth grinding is not something to be concerned about.
By understanding the potential causes and taking steps to provide comfort and a good sleeping routine, you can help your baby reduce their teeth grinding and alleviate any potential discomfort.