Baby Grinding Teeth While Sleeping
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
Sleep concerns affect nearly every family at some point. When it comes to baby grinding teeth while sleeping, here is what the guidelines recommend.
The short answer
Sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) is very common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 50% of children at some point. It often starts when the first teeth appear and may increase around age 2-3. In most cases, it is harmless and resolves on its own without causing tooth damage. Children typically outgrow it by age 6.
Key takeaways
- Sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) is very common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 50% of children at some point. It often starts when the first teeth appear and may increase around age 2-3. In most cases, it is harmless and resolves on its own without causing tooth damage. Children typically outgrow it by age 6.
- Usually normal when: Grinding starts when teeth first appear
- Call your doctor if: Your child has severe dental pain
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH guidelines, sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) is very common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 50% of children at some point. It often starts when the first teeth appear and may increase around age 2-3. In most cases, it is harmless and resolves on its own without causing tooth damage. Children typically outgrow it by age 6. At 6-12 months, teeth grinding often begins when upper and lower teeth first meet. Your baby is exploring the new sensation. This is harmless and self-limiting. No treatment is needed. It is generally considered normal when grinding starts when teeth first appear. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has severe dental pain.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-12 months
Teeth grinding often begins when upper and lower teeth first meet. Your baby is exploring the new sensation. This is harmless and self-limiting. No treatment is needed.
12-24 months
Grinding may continue as more teeth appear. It is most common during sleep but can happen during the day too. Teething, ear pain, and stress can increase grinding. The primary teeth are designed to withstand some grinding.
2-3 years
This is peak grinding age. Some children grind loudly enough to be heard from another room. Despite the alarming sound, tooth damage from grinding in this age group is rare. Mention it at dental visits for monitoring.
3-6 years
Most children outgrow grinding as permanent teeth develop. If grinding persists and causes tooth wear, your dentist may recommend monitoring. Night guards are not typically used for children this young as their jaws are still growing.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby grinding 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 accompanied by jaw pain or headaches.
- Mention if visible wearing down of tooth enamel.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Grinding starts when teeth first appear
- Grinding comes and goes
- No visible tooth damage
- Your child is otherwise healthy and sleeping well
- Grinding is accompanied by jaw pain or headaches
- Visible wearing down of tooth enamel
- Grinding is associated with snoring or mouth breathing suggesting sleep-disordered breathing
- Your child has severe dental pain
- Grinding is associated with difficulty breathing during sleep
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby grinding teeth while sleeping — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that grinding starts when teeth first appear — 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 severe dental pain.
Related Conditions
My Baby Grinds Teeth While Sleeping
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.
My Baby Grinds Their Teeth
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 30% of young children. Most children grind their teeth as they explore their new teeth or self-soothe, and the vast majority outgrow it completely by age 6 with no lasting damage to their teeth.
Related Resources
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 baby grinding teeth while sleeping normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby grinding teeth while sleeping?
When is baby grinding teeth while sleeping normal?
What causes baby grinding teeth while sleeping?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby grinding teeth while sleeping?
Is baby grinding teeth while sleeping normal at 6-12 months?
Is baby grinding teeth while sleeping normal at 12-24 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby grinding teeth while sleeping?
Does baby grinding teeth while sleeping go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Grinding Teeth While Sleeping.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby grinding 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 accompanied by jaw pain or headaches.
- Mention if visible wearing down of tooth enamel.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Grinding is accompanied by jaw pain or headaches
- Visible wearing down of tooth enamel
- Grinding is associated with snoring or mouth breathing suggesting sleep-disordered breathing
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child has severe dental pain
- Grinding is associated with difficulty breathing during sleep
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 baby grinding teeth while sleeping are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has severe dental pain.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Sleep Concerns
My Baby Grinds Teeth While Sleeping
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.
My Baby Grinds Their Teeth
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 30% of young children. Most children grind their teeth as they explore their new teeth or self-soothe, and the vast majority outgrow it completely by age 6 with no lasting damage to their teeth.
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.