Baby Grinding Teeth: Causes, Sleep and When to Seek Advice
If you have ever heard a strange, grating sound coming from your baby's cot in the middle of the night — or noticed your toddler rhythmically clenching their jaw during the day — you are not alone. Baby grinding teeth is something many parents encounter, and it is understandably unsettling when you hear it for the first time. The good news is that teeth grinding in babies and young children is common and, in many cases, does not indicate a serious problem.
This article explains what children's teeth grinding means, why it happens, how it differs across ages and sleep states, and when it may be appropriate to seek a professional dental opinion.
What Is Baby Teeth Grinding? A Direct Answer
Why do babies grind their teeth? Babies and young children may grind their teeth for a variety of reasons, including oral exploration during teething, the sensation of new teeth meeting for the first time, or unconscious habits during sleep. In many cases, it is a passing behaviour. Persistent grinding — particularly when associated with visible tooth wear, jaw discomfort or disrupted sleep — may benefit from a dental assessment.
What Teeth Grinding in Children Actually Means
The clinical term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching is bruxism. In adults, bruxism is frequently linked to stress or sleep disorders. In babies and young children, the picture is quite different and the causes are less well understood.
Infant bruxism refers to grinding or clenching that occurs in babies, usually from the point at which the first teeth begin to erupt. It can happen during sleep or while the child is awake, and it tends to sound more alarming than it typically is. The noise — a grinding or squeaking sound — is produced when the upper and lower primary teeth rub against each other, sometimes with considerable force.
It is important to understand that not all grinding is equal. An occasional episode is very different from frequent, prolonged grinding that leaves visible marks on the teeth or appears to cause a child distress.
Why Do Babies and Toddlers Grind Their Teeth?
The honest answer is that the causes of grinding in young children are not fully established. Research suggests several possible contributing factors, though no single explanation applies to all children.
Possible contributing factors include:
• Oral exploration and teething sensations — As primary teeth erupt, babies may grind to explore the new sensations in their mouth or to relieve gum discomfort.
• The development of the bite — As the upper and lower teeth come together for the first time, a child may grind as part of the natural process of establishing their occlusion (how the teeth meet).
• Sleep-related behaviour — Grinding during sleep is common in young children and may be associated with certain stages of the sleep cycle, though the precise relationship is still being studied.
• Stress or changes in routine — In older toddlers and preschoolers, emotional factors such as anxiety, changes at home or transitions like starting nursery may sometimes be associated with grinding, though this is not universal.
• Nasal congestion or breathing patterns — Some research has explored a possible association between mouth breathing, upper airway issues and sleep-related bruxism in children, though this remains an area of ongoing study rather than established fact.
• Sensory processing — For some children, particularly those with certain developmental differences, grinding may be related to sensory seeking behaviour.
It is worth noting that grinding does not necessarily mean a child has a dental problem, sleep disorder, nutritional deficiency or underlying medical condition. Many children grind for a period and then stop without any intervention.
Babies Around 9–10 Months Old
A 9 month old grinding teeth or a 10 month old grinding teeth is not uncommon. At this stage, babies are typically beginning to cut their lower and then upper front teeth. The grinding behaviour often coincides with teething and may reflect the novelty of having teeth and the new sensations involved. It is frequently a transient behaviour at this age.
One-Year-Olds
By the time a child reaches around one year, more teeth are usually erupting, and a 1 year old grinding teeth may do so as the primary incisors and early molars begin to meet. Parents sometimes notice the grinding sound more clearly at this stage simply because the teeth are more established and the contact is more audible.
Two-Year-Olds
In a 2 year old grinding teeth, the full set of primary teeth is often close to complete. At this age, grinding may continue as part of normal oral development, though it can also be influenced by changes in routine or early emotional stressors. If grinding at this age is frequent, clearly audible every night or appears to be wearing down the teeth, it is reasonable to mention it at the child's next dental visit.
Three-Year-Olds Grinding at Night
A 3 year old grinding teeth while sleeping is one of the more commonly reported concerns among parents, possibly because children at this age are in a deeper social and emotional developmental stage and are more likely to be observed during sleep. Sleep-related bruxism can peak during certain phases of early childhood. If tooth wear is visible or the child mentions jaw discomfort, a dental assessment is appropriate.
Five-Year-Olds
By the time a child is five, some may already be approaching the transition to their permanent teeth. A 5 year old grinding teeth while sleeping may be doing so as part of the natural shift in their dentition. In some cases, the grinding resolves once permanent teeth begin to erupt. However, significant wear on primary teeth at this age is worth discussing with a dental professional, as protecting the primary teeth supports the healthy development of the permanent dentition.
Grinding During Sleep Versus During the Day
Sleep-related grinding tends to be unconscious. The child is unaware of it and cannot be expected to control it. It often produces the most noticeable sounds and, in some cases, may occur during lighter sleep stages. Waking a child to stop them grinding is not recommended and is unlikely to be effective.
Daytime grinding can sometimes be deliberate or habitual — a child may grind when concentrating, when bored or as a self-soothing behaviour. In these situations, gentle distraction and keeping the child engaged with other oral or sensory activities may help reduce the frequency. However, parents should avoid placing excessive focus on the behaviour, as this can draw a child's attention to it and potentially reinforce it.
Understanding whether a toddler grinding teeth at night or during the day can help a dental professional assess the likely nature of the behaviour and what, if anything, may need to be addressed.
Signs That May Warrant Professional Assessment
Most episodes of childhood grinding do not require intervention. However, a dental examination for your child may be appropriate if you notice any of the following:
• Visible flattening, chipping or unusual wear on your child's teeth
• Your child mentions pain or discomfort in their jaw, teeth or face
• The grinding is very frequent and seems to be getting worse rather than better
• Your child is waking during the night in apparent distress linked to grinding
• You are concerned about associated sleep disturbances or breathing patterns
• The grinding persists well beyond the point at which teething has completed
A dentist trained in children's oral health can examine the primary teeth for signs of wear, assess the bite and discuss your observations. They can also advise whether any further assessment — for example, related to sleep or breathing patterns — may be relevant for your individual child.
It is important to keep regular dental check-ups going from an early age. Early attendance helps children become comfortable in the dental environment and allows professionals to monitor tooth development over time.
Practical Steps Parents Can Take
While no single approach will stop infant bruxism in every case, there are some practical, proportionate steps that parents may find helpful:
• Maintain a calm bedtime routine — A consistent, relaxing routine before sleep may help reduce any stress-related factors in older toddlers.
• Ensure adequate rest — Overtiredness has been noted in some studies as a possible factor in sleep disruption, including sleep-related bruxism, though the evidence is not conclusive.
• Offer appropriate teething relief — For younger babies, teething rings or cool (not frozen) items may help address gum discomfort, potentially reducing the urge to grind.
• Keep teeth clean — Maintaining good children's oral hygiene supports overall dental health and helps a dentist monitor the teeth at regular appointments.
• Note what you observe — Recording when the grinding happens, how often and whether anything else coincides can be very useful information for a dental professional.
What Parents Should Avoid
• Attempting to hold or reposition a child's jaw to stop grinding
• Placing devices in the baby's mouth that have not been professionally recommended
• Searching for supplements or unverified remedies online and administering them without professional guidance
• Reacting with visible anxiety in front of the child, as this may increase stress
Prevention and Ongoing Dental Care
Preventing bruxism specifically is not straightforward, as the causes vary and are not always within parental control. What parents can do is support good overall oral and general health, which provides a strong foundation.
This includes beginning dental visits early — ideally when the first tooth appears or around the child's first birthday — maintaining consistent oral hygiene at home with an age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste, and keeping an open dialogue with your dental team about any concerns.
Preventive dental care for children is designed not only to protect against decay but to monitor development, catch any concerns early and support families with practical, evidence-based guidance.
A Gentle Note for Worried Parents
Hearing your baby or toddler grind their teeth — especially at night — can feel alarming. It is natural to worry. Most children who grind their teeth during the early years do so without lasting consequence. The behaviour often reduces and resolves on its own as the dentition develops. What matters is that you are aware of it, that your child's teeth are being checked regularly and that you know when to raise it with a professional.
If you have any ongoing concerns about your child's teeth or jaw, speaking with a dental professional is always a sensible and proportionate step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a baby grind their teeth before any teeth have erupted?
True tooth grinding requires teeth to be present. However, babies may make similar jaw movements and sounds with their gums alone, particularly during teething, as they explore the sensation. Once teeth erupt, the audible grinding sound becomes more noticeable. If you are uncertain whether what you are hearing is grinding or another behaviour, a dental professional can help clarify.
Can a child grind their teeth without waking themselves up?
Yes. Sleep-related bruxism in children frequently occurs without waking them. Children tend to sleep more deeply than adults and may grind during lighter sleep phases without any conscious awareness. Parents often notice it before the child does. There is no reliable evidence that it causes significant sleep disruption in most young children, though this can vary.
Should I wake my child to stop them grinding during the night?
This is generally not recommended. Waking a sleeping child is unlikely to prevent future grinding and can disrupt their sleep patterns. The more helpful approach is to note how often it occurs, whether it appears to be worsening and whether there are any daytime signs of discomfort, then discuss these observations with your dental team at the next visit.
Can grinding damage baby teeth?
In most cases, the grinding is mild enough not to cause significant damage. However, in some children — particularly where grinding is frequent and prolonged — visible flattening or wear on the biting surfaces of the teeth can occur. If you notice changes to the shape or surface of your child's teeth, it is worth raising this with a dentist, as protecting primary teeth is important for speech, eating and guiding the permanent teeth into position.
Is there a link between grinding and a child's diet or nutrition?
Some older theories suggested a link between certain nutritional deficiencies and bruxism, but current evidence does not strongly support a direct causal relationship in otherwise healthy children. Ensuring a balanced, age-appropriate diet is good general health advice but is unlikely on its own to resolve grinding.
What information should I record before a dental appointment about my child's grinding?
It can be very helpful to note: how often you hear or observe the grinding, whether it occurs during sleep, during the day or both, whether your child has mentioned any jaw or tooth discomfort, whether grinding seems worse at certain times (such as during illness or routine changes), and whether there are any associated sleep concerns such as snoring or mouth breathing.
Could grinding be a sign of a sleep breathing issue?
Some research has explored a possible association between sleep-disordered breathing — for example, obstructive sleep apnoea in children — and sleep bruxism. This does not mean that every child who grinds their teeth has a breathing problem. However, if your child also snores frequently, breathes predominantly through their mouth, or appears excessively tired during the day, it may be appropriate to discuss these observations with both your dental team and your GP.
Does children's teeth grinding always need treatment?
Not necessarily. In many cases, no specific intervention is required, particularly in younger children where grinding is mild and not causing tooth damage or discomfort. A dental assessment can help determine whether any monitoring, preventive care or further review is appropriate. Treatment decisions, where relevant, should be guided by a qualified dental professional following a proper examination.
Will grinding stop on its own?
Many children do reduce and stop grinding as their dentition develops, particularly around the time of transition from primary to permanent teeth. However, this does not occur in every case, and some children may continue to grind into older childhood or beyond. Regular dental reviews allow any progression to be monitored over time.
Dental Disclaimer
The content of this article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. It relates to the topic of teeth grinding in babies, toddlers and young children and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every child is different, and the significance of teeth grinding — including its causes, severity and whether any assessment or care is needed — can only be properly evaluated by a qualified dental professional following an individual examination. If you have concerns about your child's teeth, jaw or oral health, please seek advice from a registered dentist. Do not disregard professional dental advice or delay seeking it as a result of information read in this article. This content does not diagnose any condition, recommend any specific treatment and does not guarantee any particular outcome.
Written Date: 23 October 2026
Next Review Date: 23 October 2027
Written by Wimpole Dental Editorial Team · reviewed by Wimpole Dental Clinical Team
This article is general information, not personal clinical advice. For a diagnosis and a plan tailored to you, book a consultation with a GDC-registered dentist.
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