Is it ok for my 2 yr old son to grind his teeth at night?

Question

I figured since they might fall out later its ok now, but it sounds really bad as if he was crunching on ice. What's a good way to stop him from doing it?

Answer 1

In most cases, teeth grinding isn't harmful. It's very unlikely that your toddler's doing any damage to his teeth, and it's very likely that he'll soon outgrow the habit. Mention it to his dentist, though, so he/she can check the teeth for wear and any resulting problems, like pulp exposure, cavities, and fractures.

Older children are sometimes fitted with a night guard — a plastic device fitted to the mouth to prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth during sleep. But your child's dentist probably won't consider this an option until your child has at least some permanent teeth, around age 6.

I am really glad that my oldest never went through that. I really hate that noise. I hope my 1 year old doesn't catch on to it.

Answer 2

My son done this (still does, actually) and by the time he was about 3 or 4, he'd lost all 8 of his front teeth. He's now 7 and only 5 have come back in (because he lost them prematurely, yet they're just now "scheduled" to come in and are just now emerging).

I took him to a pediatric dentist everytime he lost a tooth and he had many x-rays to see if there was root problems or anything else going on. The dentist never determined a cause (although he threw seveal possibilities). He also told me he was too young for the mouth guard. There was simply nothing that could be done.

The front 4 teeth came in first, but because of the gaps of the other missing teeth, those teeth spread out due to all the extra room. Now that the others are coming in, they are coming in crooked because of the lack of room they have left.

At this point for him, our options have been to just let what happens, happen. When he gets older, I'm sure we'll have to get braces.

I just pray that all of them actually come in.

Answer 3

It's not really good for them to do and most will get over it on their own. My son used to do it a lot when he was younger than he got over it. He is 3 now almost 4 and he does it on occasion. Try not to make a big deal out of it and he might stop. He could be continuing it if you give it way too much attention. Try to just let it be. Don't get on to him or anything for it and see if he just quits. All children have irritating and not so healthy habits. My son used to pinch the heck out of my arm to fall asleep. He got over that too.

Answer 4

My son is almost 6 and grinds his teeth at night too. We saw a pediatric dentist earlier this year who told me not to worry about it. Lots of kids do it and most of them outgrow it. If it continues once he starts getting his permanent teeth, then I'd look into a mouth guard.

Answer 5

You can take him to the dentist and they will fit him for a mouth guard similar to the ones an athlete wears. It sounds like his teeth that have not come in are moving and causing him pain, try a night time oragel and see if that helps.

Answer 6

No, it's not good because tooth-grinding (bruxism) is habitual and he will wreck his adult teeth later in life. He can also damage his jaw and his jaw muscles. Unfortunately, there is very little that can be done, except drugging your son at night. He is still too little for a mouth guard, but you should ask a dentist when is the earliest you can fit him for one.

Answer 7

i can not figure out how to get mine to quit. both of mine do it, when thy had a really busy day, i also do it when i am really tired. but you should ask the dentist. he might suggest something. i have done it my whole life and i am 25 with perfect teeth. so it depend on the person i guess. my son has bad teeth and my daughter has great teeth. so i dont know. i think my son got the bad teeth gene. i don not think it had anything to do with grinding his teeth. my son has done it so bad he woke me up and i am a HARD sleeper. mine husband took care of them at night. i never wake up, and he woke me up out of a dead sleep

Answer 8

I did that all thru childhood. No one knew why.
My teeth are lousy as an adult, I can't say for certain that
"gritting my teeth" cause my dental problems or not.

I'd mention to the doctor next time you go in.

Answer 9

You need to take him to the dentist to get him the proper mouthpiece. Don't settle with something you just buy in the store.

Answer 10

A good way to stop it is to get a special mouth garud ecesppially for teeth grinding they sell it at most drug stores.