Toddler Grinding Teeth While Awake and Asleep
The short answer
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is very common in babies and toddlers - studies suggest 15-33% of children grind their teeth. Babies often grind their teeth when new teeth come in because the sensation is novel and they are experimenting with their bite. Most children outgrow grinding by age 6 when their permanent teeth start coming in. Grinding is usually harmless and does not require treatment unless it is causing tooth damage, jaw pain, headaches, or significantly disrupting sleep.
By Age
What to expect by age
As the first teeth emerge, many babies discover they can rub their top and bottom teeth together and are fascinated by the feeling and sound. This is sensory exploration - similar to how they explore other new body parts. The grinding may sound terrible but is not harmful to baby teeth at this stage. Offering teething toys gives them something else to chew on. Do not try to stop the grinding by putting your finger in their mouth - this can reinforce the behavior and is a choking risk.
Teeth grinding often continues as more teeth erupt and the bite is changing. Many toddlers grind during sleep without being aware of it. Daytime grinding is often a self-soothing behavior or response to stress, discomfort, or boredom. Some toddlers grind when they are concentrating. The sound can be alarming, but the soft enamel of baby teeth is designed to handle some wear. If you notice flat spots or chips on the teeth, mention it to your dentist at the first dental visit (recommended by age 1).
Grinding may persist or intensify during stressful periods (new sibling, daycare start, move). Night grinding that you can hear from another room is common and usually harmless. If your child complains of jaw pain in the morning or you notice significant tooth wear, your dentist can evaluate. Night guards are not typically used for children under 6 because the jaw and teeth are still growing and changing. Reducing stress before bed and ensuring your child is not overtired can help reduce nighttime grinding.
Most children naturally stop grinding as they get older and their permanent teeth begin to replace baby teeth. If grinding persists and is causing problems (significant tooth wear, jaw pain, morning headaches, disrupted sleep), your dentist may recommend evaluation. In rare cases, sleep-disordered breathing (enlarged tonsils or adenoids causing snoring and mouth breathing) can trigger teeth grinding. If your child grinds AND snores, mention both to your pediatrician.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby grinds their teeth occasionally when new teeth are coming in
- Grinding happens intermittently and does not seem to cause your child distress
- Your toddler grinds during sleep but sleeps well overall
- The teeth show minimal wear and your child does not complain of jaw pain
- Grinding is happening frequently throughout the day and night
- You notice visible wear, flattening, or chipping on your child's teeth
- Your child complains of jaw pain, ear pain, or headaches
- Grinding is accompanied by loud snoring and mouth breathing during sleep
- A tooth has cracked or broken from grinding
- Your child is in significant jaw pain
- Grinding is accompanied by other involuntary movements that seem like they could be seizure-related
Sources
Related Resources
Related Physical Concerns
Toddler Obsessive or Repetitive Behaviors
Repetitive behaviors are a normal part of toddler development. Toddlers thrive on predictability and repetition because it helps them master new skills and understand their world. Lining up toys, wanting the same book read 20 times, insisting on the same routine, and repeating words or phrases are all typical toddler behaviors. These behaviors become concerning when they are so rigid that any disruption causes extreme distress, when they interfere with learning or social interaction, or when they are accompanied by other developmental red flags.
Baby Shaking Head Side to Side
Head shaking in babies is very common and is usually a normal self-soothing behavior or a sign of exploration and play. Many babies shake their head side to side when falling asleep, when excited, or when learning the concept of "no." Ear discomfort from teething or ear infections can also cause head shaking. While persistent or unusual head movements can occasionally indicate a neurological concern, in the vast majority of cases, a baby who is developing normally and shakes their head is simply exploring body movement.
Toddler Having Constant Meltdowns
Tantrums are a normal part of toddler development - most 2-3 year olds have at least one tantrum per day. Meltdowns happen because toddlers feel big emotions (frustration, disappointment, overwhelm) but their prefrontal cortex is far too immature to regulate those emotions. However, when tantrums happen many times per day, last more than 25 minutes, are violent (self-injury, destruction), or persist beyond age 4 without decreasing, it may indicate that your child needs additional support for emotional regulation.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
Baby or Toddler Body Odor - When Is It Normal?
Babies and toddlers can develop body odor from several benign causes: sour milk caught in skin folds, sweating, diaper area odor, strong-smelling foods in the diet, and certain medications or vitamins. True body odor (like adult BO from apocrine glands) should not occur before puberty. If your baby or young toddler has a persistent unusual body odor that is not explained by skin folds, diaper, or diet, it could indicate a metabolic condition, infection, or foreign body (especially in the nose or vaginal area). Unusual persistent odor warrants a doctor visit.
Baby Born with Teeth - Natal Teeth
Natal teeth (teeth present at birth) occur in about 1 in 2,000-3,000 births. In most cases, these are actual primary (baby) teeth that erupted early, not extra teeth. Most natal teeth are the lower front incisors. While natal teeth can sometimes cause breastfeeding difficulties or have a risk of becoming loose and being a choking hazard, many can be left in place and monitored. The decision to keep or remove a natal tooth depends on how firmly it is attached and whether it is causing problems.