Teeth Grinding - Helena, MT

Updated on August 13, 2007
B.P. asks from Helena, MT
22 answers

My son is 8 1/2 months old and just got his first upper tooth in. He has his bottom two also. Now all of the sudden he is grinding his teeth!! How do I stop this before it becomes a life long issue?? Do all kids do this at first?? Is there anything I can do??

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A.D.

answers from Great Falls on

I wouldn't worry about it. My daughter did that as well for a while. I asked my dentist about it and he told me not to stress. If it continued for months then we may have problems. But she was just "self-stimulating". learning about her new teeth. he did stress to start brushing her teeth 2x per day, and not allowing her fall asleep with a bottle.

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T.M.

answers from Davenport on

As annoying as it is, it is quite common. My son did it for awhile and when I asked my midwife and pediatrician she said that it wasn't unusual. It will subside in time.

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A.F.

answers from Iowa City on

My son is also 8 months old, he was born in December. He has his two bottom teeth, and I think he's starting to get his upper teeth. I have noticed that when he puts toys in his mouth he rubs them really hard over his teeth. It looks painful to me, but it must be relieving. I would say your son's teeth grinding is normal and should subside once his discomfort goes away. BTW, I will also be 30 this fall, so we have a lot in common. Good luck with your wedding.

Sincerely,
A.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from Boise on

both of my girls ground their teeth when they first got them in. i HATED the sound and was so worried that it would become a habit, but they grew out of it just as quickly as they started it. i think it's just that their teeth are new, and they like the feel of them, but once they get use to them it's no big deal. i just gave them a teething toy every time they started grinding their teeth, that way i didn't have to hear it! good luck!

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P.

answers from Omaha on

B., you should get on this mom site. It is free and we have playdates with the kids at various places. It is www.myomahamommies.com It is great getting together with other moms.
Tricia

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M.B.

answers from Omaha on

Hi B.,

Sorry, I don't have anything on the teeth grinding. I know I do it myself sometimes at night, and my son would do it every now & then when he was teething, but not all the time. He is now 2 & hasn't done it in a long time.
I'm sending you a link for a Moms Club. They can set you up with a group in your area of Mom's that get together a few times a month, and is a great way to get out, and for you son to meet other children. I belong to one, and love it!
http://www.momsclub.org/join.html

Hope you're able to join a group & not feel like a hermit crab anymore.

Good luck,
M.

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J.F.

answers from Grand Forks on

Hello! My son did this too, at first. He grew out of it after a couple months, thankfully. I think it's just their way of checking out those hard things growing in their mouth! HA. Hopefully yours will do the same.

Mine started teething at 4 months and had 18 teeth by a year. Now he's 17 months and I haven't caught him doing it anytime lately.

I would think it would be temporary for yours too!

Best of luck to you!

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C.M.

answers from Sioux City on

Some people grind their teeth some don't. I do and the dentist said the only way to stop it is to buy a guard and they are expensive, and I'm sure you can't use one on a baby. MY five year old went through the grinding of his teeth and I don't think there was anything we could do about that either.
I hope this helps

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

Both of my boys started grinding their teeth when they first got them. We don't remember but it feels really weird to them so they grind.

I wouldn't worry unless it goes on after a long while like two years.
I clench my teeth together so hard that most of them have chipped now. I would take him to the dentist and see what he has to say. He's old enough, now and better an early start on the teeth than no start. Good luck!!!!

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L.B.

answers from Sioux Falls on

My 11 month old did the same thing when she got new teeth, and has since stopped. I am sure its a funny feeling to them and what a noise it makes!! There really isnt much you can do to stop him, as you cant constancly stand over him, and I dont think it will be a life long thing, as I am sure my first 2 did it too and no longer grind, my oldest will be 8 soon and #2 will be 3 in a few days. Good Luck!

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A.W.

answers from Pocatello on

B.,

My daughter is 5 now and she has been grinding her teeth in her sleep since before she had teeth. I spoke with the dentist and he told me it is completely normal. At this age until they get in their adult teeth there is nothing to be done. The main reason is that until they get in their teeth their mouths are changing and growing so quickly that a night guard or anything like that won't work. I am also discouraged by this, but even a second dentist told me the same thing. Good luck.

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K.H.

answers from Grand Forks on

Hi B.:
My 3 1/2 yo does the same thing occasionally. I did ask his Pediatrician about it and she said that most kids do this and that there is not much you can do about it. I think that she said that he will prob grow out of it. Right now he is too young to have a mouth guard and if he is still doing it later then that would be the time to look into a mouth guard. However he started it around two, who knows he may have started it earlier and I just didint notice. If you are really concerned than I would ask your Dr. at his 1 year check up if he is still doing it.
Good Luck
K.

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R.A.

answers from Missoula on

Ohhh.... My daughter did this and it drove me nuts!!! It's like nails on a chalkboard! Anyways, she did stop doing it after that tooth stopped hurting so much. I try and give her something cold or something to chew on when she does that. I tried to make her stop by gently squeezing her cheeks together, and other things, but nothing helped, she just had to get through it. Good luck! Let me know if you ever need to talk or anything! Bye for now!

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T.M.

answers from Cedar Rapids on

Hi!! I am a mother of 3 and my first one was a teeth grinder.. I seem to remember that he just stopped. I do know that people do it for a long time sometimes also... I might ask you family dentist though... Just to be sure...perhaps he/she has some thoughts or suggestions to be proactive in helping your son to stop.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!! I will pray for a beautiful Sept. to match a specail month! Happy Birthday too!!
:):)
Blessings to you!
T.

A little about me:
I am a blessed mother of 3. Married to my best friend of 16yrs!
I am 37 yrs old and work weekends.. I recently started working from home!! What an amazing time!! I enjoy sharing what I do.
I would love to hear how things turn out. Take care!!!
www.thehomecareer.org

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A.R.

answers from Omaha on

It;s a stage! My 1 year old just got his fifth tooth and has been doing this for a month or so. My two youngest stopped shortly after starting so I hope all children only do this for awhile. Although once they reach a certain age they figure it out again and do it to annoy you!

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M.M.

answers from Bismarck on

Hi B.
I think it is normal for kids to do this. The teeth are something new in their mouth, plus the pressure feels good for them. My son did this for a couple months after his first teeth came in and he has quit.

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A.L.

answers from Omaha on

In most cases, teeth grinding sounds worse than it is. It's very likely that your baby isn't doing any damage to his teeth and he'll soon outgrow the habit.

Congradulations on getting married.

A.

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B.S.

answers from Lincoln on

The teeth grinding is probably due to the irritation of a new tooth. Have you tried teething tablets, they are a natural alternative to helping with teething. You can purchase them at Wal-Mart and also Walgreens. Not much more expensive then oragel. Also I have been a stay-at-home mom for almost six years and just recently moved to Lincoln. I love being a stay at home mom but I understand not having any friends. I am actually going to try to join MOPS to try to meet some people. My older son will start kindergarten this year and I will also still have a two year old at home. It is really hard to stay at home when they are that young but it is definitely worth it. Try to join a MOPS group or find a play group. Good Luck and Congrats on your upcoming marriage.

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K.A.

answers from Omaha on

I think pretty much all kids do this...its something new for them and it is a new sensation. They'll eventually stop. If they don't down the road, then I would ask your doctor about it.

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T.T.

answers from Denver on

It's very normal. It won't become a life long habbit. There isn't anything you can do to stop it right now. He's just trying to get used to his new teeth. If he's still doing it at a year and you're concerned, talk you his doctor when you take him in. But he's really just getting a feel for his new teeth. It's all right! Most kids do that at this age!

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K.Q.

answers from Boise on

B.,
I know just how you feel. My son did that too. My doughter never did that so when my son started doing it I had the same concern's as you are. It was more anoying than anything else. He would sit at the table or where ever and grind. It's like nails on a chuck board to me. What my husband and I did was tell him "no" and then we tried to distract him so he would forget what he was doing. Evenualty he did grow out of it. I don't know that it will work for you. All children are different. Hopefully he will grow out of it. Good Luck..

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K.C.

answers from Omaha on

As soon as my daughter got teeth on both the top and the bottom she starting grinding (it was almost a hard clicking sound) the two teeth against each other. It drove me crazy to listen to that sound...it was almost like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. She only did it for a week or so. Every time she did it, I told her not to do it. I don't know if me saying something did the trick or whether she just grew bored with it once the novelty of the new "ability" went away.

I wouldn't worry about it too much...however, if your son continues to grind his teeth, though I would check with your doctor. I don't think he can damage his teeth too badly...after all, he's going to lose them anyway. However, it might make you feel better to ask the doctor just to make sure.

Good luck with your upcoming milestone birthday and wedding!!

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