Baby Grinding Teeth While Sleeping
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.
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
By Age
What to expect by age
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.
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.
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.
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 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
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
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.