When your baby grinds their teeth, usually while asleep, it is generally nothing serious. This bruxism is common in toddlers, can start before the first birthday and most often disappears by around age 6. See a doctor if the grinding comes with pain, damaged teeth or nights that leave your child unrested.
The noise takes parents by surprise, especially the first time: a dry, grating sound, sometimes loud enough to hear from the next room. It often starts just as the first teeth begin to meet. Here is what is known about it, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the UK’s National Health Service, and what you can do.
Baby grinding teeth: is it normal?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that teeth grinding is common in toddlers and preschoolers. It adds that it can begin before the first birthday. The Welsh health service, which draws on NHS content, also describes it as common in children, particularly during sleep.
The medical term is bruxism. It means clenching or rubbing the teeth together, without any chewing purpose. In young children, it mostly happens at night and goes unnoticed by the child.
At what age does bruxism appear in babies?
Grinding requires teeth that touch. So it often appears once the upper and lower incisors are through, in the second half of the first year. Your baby then discovers a new sensation: the contact between their teeth. They explore it, just as they explore everything with their mouth.
This behaviour is part of a wider phase of oral exploration. A baby who puts everything in their mouth or who sticks out their tongue is learning about their mouth and what it can do in just the same way.
Why does a baby grind their teeth?
The AAP is frank about it: research has not established the exact cause of bruxism in children. Several factors are, however, linked to grinding.
Teething and pain
The pain of a tooth coming through, or of an ear infection, can lead a child to clench and grind their jaws. The AAP explicitly mentions both situations. In that case, the grinding often eases once the pain passes.
Teeth that do not fit together yet
Baby teeth come through one by one. For months, they do not meet evenly. The AAP lists misaligned teeth and irritation in the mouth among the possible factors.
Sleep and breathing
Sleep problems and allergies that interfere with breathing at night are also on the AAP’s list. The NHS mentions snoring and sleep apnoea among the problems associated with grinding.
Stress
Many dentists and paediatricians regard stress as a contributing factor, according to the AAP. For a toddler, this might be a change of routine, starting nursery or a hectic period at home.
Other, rarer factors
Finally, the AAP mentions certain medical conditions, such as autism or cerebral palsy, some medicines, and exposure to tobacco smoke. That last point is a reminder that a smoke-free home protects your child in more ways than one.
Does teeth grinding damage baby teeth?
Rarely in young children. Occasional grinding generally leaves no lasting mark. The AAP does point out, however, that prolonged grinding can wear down or chip the teeth. It can also cause pain in the face, ear or jaw the next day.
The main long-term concern is the permanent teeth. The AAP states that bruxism that continues into adolescence and adulthood can lead to jaw joint problems. That is a reason to mention the grinding at check-ups, without being alarmed.
What to do when your baby grinds their teeth?
In most cases, there is nothing to correct. Toddler bruxism usually goes away on its own. A few habits can still help make bedtime calmer:
- a calm, regular bedtime routine, with a bath, a story or a lullaby;
- a sleep environment free of screens and loud noise;
- a chilled teething ring during the day, when teething seems to be the cause;
- a home free of tobacco smoke.
Do not wake your child to stop the noise. The grinding does not usually bother them, and waking them abruptly interrupts their sleep without solving anything.
Caring for those first teeth remains just as important. Brushing your baby’s teeth from the very first tooth also helps you spot wear or a damaged tooth. Our guide to choosing a baby toothbrush explains what to look for in size and softness.
When should you see a doctor?
According to the AAP, it is worth talking to your doctor or dentist in the following situations:
- your toddler grinds loudly during sleep and regularly complains of pain in the face, ear or jaw;
- they grind loudly and their nights do not seem restful: a sleep assessment may then be considered;
- in an older child, the teeth look chipped, cracked or worn.
Also see a doctor if your child snores loudly every night or seems to pause in their breathing. These signs call for medical advice, whether or not they grind their teeth. For night-time screaming, our article on night terrors helps you tell the situations apart.
What about a mouth guard?
A custom-made night guard may be offered by a dentist to an older child, according to the AAP. It is not for babies. The NHS also points out that treatment is not always needed.
Teeth grinding and sucking: two different habits
Grinding is sometimes confused with other mouth movements during sleep. Sucking a thumb or a dummy is a soothing reflex that is useful for young babies. Its effects on the teeth are different, and our article on the baby who sucks their thumb covers them in detail.
Key takeaways
- A baby who grinds their teeth is usually perfectly healthy: bruxism is common in toddlers.
- It can appear before age 1, often when the first teeth start to meet.
- It most often disappears by around age 6, without treatment.
- Pain, damaged teeth, snoring or unrestful nights call for medical or dental advice.
- A calm bedtime and a smoke-free home are the best everyday measures.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Oral Health, “Teeth Grinding in Children: What to Know About Bruxism”, HealthyChildren.org, updated 17 April 2026.
- NHS 111 Wales, “Teeth grinding (bruxism)”, content adapted from the NHS, updated 6 March 2024.
