My Baby Grinds Teeth While Sleeping
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, AAPD, NSF guidelines
Last reviewed:
Sleep concerns affect nearly every family at some point. When it comes to grinds teeth while sleeping, here is what the guidelines recommend.
The short answer
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 30% of children. It often begins when babies first get teeth and may continue through early childhood. While the sound can be unsettling, occasional grinding is usually harmless and most children outgrow it by age 6. It may be related to teething discomfort, jaw development, or simply exploring their new teeth.
Key takeaways
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 30% of children. It often begins when babies first get teeth and may continue through early childhood. While the sound can be unsettling, occasional grinding is usually harmless and most children outgrow it by age 6. It may be related to teething discomfort, jaw development, or simply exploring their new teeth.
- Usually normal when: Your baby or toddler grinds their teeth occasionally during sleep
- Call your doctor if: Your child has broken or severely damaged teeth from grinding
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“To reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, the AAP recommends that infants sleep on their backs, on a firm, flat surface, without any soft bedding.”
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, AAPD, NSF guidelines, teeth grinding (bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 30% of children. It often begins when babies first get teeth and may continue through early childhood. While the sound can be unsettling, occasional grinding is usually harmless and most children outgrow it by age 6. It may be related to teething discomfort, jaw development, or simply exploring their new teeth. At 6-12 months, grinding often starts when babies first get teeth, around 6-10 months. Your baby is exploring their new teeth and learning how their jaw works. The grinding may be a way of soothing sore gums or simply discovering the sensation of teeth touching. It usually happens during sleep but can also occur while awake. As long as your baby isn't causing damage to their teeth or seeming distressed, this is developmentally normal. It is generally considered normal when your baby or toddler grinds their teeth occasionally during sleep. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has broken or severely damaged teeth from grinding.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-12 months
Grinding often starts when babies first get teeth, around 6-10 months. Your baby is exploring their new teeth and learning how their jaw works. The grinding may be a way of soothing sore gums or simply discovering the sensation of teeth touching. It usually happens during sleep but can also occur while awake. As long as your baby isn't causing damage to their teeth or seeming distressed, this is developmentally normal.
12-18 months
Toddlers this age often grind their teeth during sleep as their jaw and bite continue to develop. Some grinding is related to teething molars, which emerge around 13-19 months and can be quite uncomfortable. Stress, changes in routine, or illness can temporarily increase grinding. If your toddler grinds their teeth frequently and you notice wear on the teeth, jaw pain, or headaches, mention it to your pediatrician or dentist.
18-36 months
Teeth grinding remains common in toddlers and may be associated with sleep-disordered breathing, misaligned bite, or stress. If your toddler snores, breathes through their mouth, or has restless sleep, these could be contributing factors worth discussing with your doctor. Most toddlers who grind their teeth will stop on their own by early childhood as their adult teeth come in and their jaw fully develops.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed grinds teeth while sleeping and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if grinding is happening every night and is very loud or prolonged.
- Mention if you notice wear on your child's teeth, chipped teeth, or changes in their bite.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby or toddler grinds their teeth occasionally during sleep
- Grinding started around the time new teeth were coming in
- Your child's teeth don't show significant wear or damage
- Your child doesn't complain of jaw pain or headaches (if old enough to communicate)
- Grinding happens during sleep transitions or periods of teething, illness, or routine changes
- Grinding is happening every night and is very loud or prolonged
- You notice wear on your child's teeth, chipped teeth, or changes in their bite
- Your child complains of jaw pain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity
- Grinding is accompanied by snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep
- You're concerned about the intensity or frequency of grinding
- Your child has broken or severely damaged teeth from grinding
- Grinding is accompanied by severe pain, swelling, or inability to open the jaw
- Your child has difficulty breathing during sleep, turns blue, or has pauses in breathing
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice grinds teeth while sleeping — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby or toddler grinds their teeth occasionally during sleep — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-12 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Keep the sleep environment cool, dark, and quiet.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child has broken or severely damaged teeth from grinding.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Baby Sleep Guide
Age-by-age sleep needs, schedules, and evidence-based sleep strategies.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is grinds teeth while sleeping normal?
When should I call the doctor about grinds teeth while sleeping?
When is grinds teeth while sleeping normal?
What causes grinds teeth while sleeping?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about grinds teeth while sleeping?
Is grinds teeth while sleeping normal at 6-12 months?
Is grinds teeth while sleeping normal at 12-18 months?
Should I go to the ER for grinds teeth while sleeping?
Does grinds teeth while sleeping go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Grinds Teeth While Sleeping.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed grinds teeth while sleeping and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if grinding is happening every night and is very loud or prolonged.
- Mention if you notice wear on your child's teeth, chipped teeth, or changes in their bite.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Grinding is happening every night and is very loud or prolonged
- You notice wear on your child's teeth, chipped teeth, or changes in their bite
- Your child complains of jaw pain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child has broken or severely damaged teeth from grinding
- Grinding is accompanied by severe pain, swelling, or inability to open the jaw
- Your child has difficulty breathing during sleep, turns blue, or has pauses in breathing
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of grinds teeth while sleeping are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has broken or severely damaged teeth from grinding.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Sleep Concerns
How Long Should Baby Be Awake Between Naps?
The ideal awake time between naps (called a "wake window") increases as your baby grows. Newborns may only handle 45-90 minutes awake, while toddlers can manage 4-6 hours. Getting wake windows right is one of the most effective ways to improve nap quality, because both too-short and too-long wake times lead to poor sleep.
Is a Bath Before Bed Really Necessary?
A nightly bath is not medically necessary and some babies with sensitive skin do better with less frequent bathing. However, a warm bath can be a powerful sleep cue because the subsequent body temperature drop triggers melatonin production. If you include a bath, keep it calm and warm rather than stimulating.
How Long Should the Bedtime Routine Be?
An ideal bedtime routine for babies and toddlers is 20-30 minutes. Shorter routines may not give enough time to wind down, while routines longer than 45 minutes can become a stalling tactic. Consistency in the routine order matters more than exact length.
Is My Baby's Bedtime Too Early?
For most babies over 3 months, bedtime between 6:00-8:00 PM is appropriate. A bedtime that is too early can cause early morning wakings (before 6 AM) or long periods of wakefulness in the middle of the night. However, during nap transitions or on days when naps were short, an earlier-than-usual bedtime helps prevent overtiredness.
Is My Baby's Bedtime Too Late?
For babies over 3-4 months, consistently going to bed after 8:30-9:00 PM may result in overtiredness, which paradoxically makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Cortisol rises when babies are overtired, leading to more night wakings and early mornings. Moving bedtime earlier, even by 15-30 minutes, often improves overnight sleep quality.
Is It Dangerous for My Baby to Sleep in a Car Seat?
Babies should not be left to sleep in car seats outside of the car. Car seat-related deaths are most often caused by positional asphyxia, which occurs when a baby's head falls forward, compressing the airway. While car seats are essential and safe for travel, the AAP recommends transferring your sleeping baby to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as you reach your destination. Never use a car seat as a substitute for a crib or bassinet.