Grinding Teeth - Mound, MN

I just asked the dentist about this with my 6year old. I was told there isn't much we can do, and it's not serious until she has her permanent teeth in. And she hasn't lost any teeth yet.

I was showing a neighbor her teeth about something else, and she's a assistant in a orthodontist office or something and she goes "Does she grind her teeth?" I was like ya how do you know? She said she could tell. I was like wow this may be a bigger problem then I thought.

My 6 year old still sleeps in my bed and when she grinds it wakes me up, I will tap her, touch her, shake her, tap her face anything to get her to stop and she won't wake up or stop.

I figure next time we go in I will ask the dentist at what point can I get her a nightguard so she doesn't ruin her future permanent teeth. A nightguard is the only thing I can think of to stop it and they have to be atleast schoolage I would think to wear something like this.

I was told by my ped. that teeth grinding at this age is a symptom of teething and I shouldn't worry. I find it annoying to listen to, but everytime my 22-month old starts doing a lot of grinding she ends up with a new tooth not too long afterwards.

I also have a 2 yr old who grinds her teeth. She's been doing it since her teeth came in. I've asked both her dentist & pediatrician and both agree that there is nothing they can do and most kids outgrow it. They wont do anything until the permanent teeth come in and then they are older and can wear a toothguard at night.

My son did that for about a year starting around 2 or 2.5. He is now 4 and I haven't heard it in a long time.

Hi-
I am a Pediatric Dental Assistant. You are correct in the fact that grinding is mostly due to teething issues. When a child maybe has new teeth erupting, it's likely she is just getting used to how they feel. And some say it is due to stress. Stress mostly meaning/ changes in life, routine, maybe a child not feeling well.
The good thing is that it will subside. 98% of the time, they have no issues beyond adolescence.
In our practice we recommend seeing a child starting at age 2 1/2 or 3.... Or if the parents think their are issues of decay, or something just doesn't seem right. Plus we like to start them getting used to being in the dental setting, and we make it a fun place to be!

My 8-month has started to do this as well...I would love to know what solutions people have!

my one year old just started grinding his teeth. I talked to our dentist and he said there is really nothing you can do. It is either cause he is teething or he just discovered his teeth make noise. Have you recently taken his pacifier away? My dentist recomended giving him a tooth brush or a toy that he could chew on when he starts to grind. My son only grinds during the day. He has his pacifier at night so that is probably why it doesn't happen at night. Good luck.