Why Do Babies Grind Their Teeth? Top 5 Causes and 5 Tips

Babies grind their teeth mostly because of teething, curiosity, or changes in sleep patterns. It’s quite common and usually not something to worry about.

But if you hear that squeaky, scraping sound, especially when your baby is playing or sleeping, it can feel a bit unsettling. This habit is called bruxism, and in babies, it’s often a short-lived behavior.

What Is Teeth Grinding in Babies?

When a baby rubs their upper and lower teeth together, it’s known as bruxism or teeth grinding. It can happen during the day or night and may sound like a squeaky toy or nails on a chalkboard.

This usually starts when babies get their first few teeth, typically between 6 months and 1 year old. Most babies stop grinding on their own by the age of 3 to 5.

Why Do Babies Grind Their Teeth?

It may sound strange, but it’s quite common, especially between 6 months to 2 years when their tiny teeth start coming in. Let’s break down the most common reasons:

1. Exploring New Sensations

When new teeth begin to grow, your baby might grind them simply because they are curious. It’s like discovering a new toy. They don’t understand what teeth are for yet, so they may rub them together to feel the texture or hear the sound they make.

2. Teething Discomfort

Teething can be a tough time as their gums get sore, swollen, and sometimes itchy.

Grinding the teeth may soothe that discomfort, much like how they chew on teething toys or fingers. It allows them to apply pressure to their gums and release it.

3. Incorrectly positioned Teeth

Your baby’s upper and lower teeth may not always line up precisely. This is completely normal while they’re still developing.

But this uneven bite can cause an odd feeling in the mouth, and your baby may grind their teeth to try to adjust to that feeling.

They don’t know how to fix it, so they grind as a natural reaction.

4. Stress or Excitement

Even though babies can’t talk about their feelings, they still experience emotions like stress, excitement, or anxiety.

Changes like moving to a new home, meeting new people, or even a shift in daily routine (like sleep training or starting daycare) can affect them emotionally. Grinding may be how they release this extra energy.

5. Sleep-Related Movements

Grinding often happens during light sleep or transition phases between deep sleep and waking up. During these sleep stages, their brain is still active, and the jaw may move unconsciously.

If your baby is grinding teeth only at night, this might be the reason and it usually goes away with age.

What About Daytime Grinding?

Daytime grinding is often more related to play, teething, or curiosity. If your baby is smiling while grinding or doing it while playing, it’s likely just a phase. But if they look upset or irritable, it could be due to gum discomfort or other issues.

What About Nighttime Grinding?

Babies’ grinding teeth while sleeping can be linked to sleep cycles or discomfort. It’s usually not a big concern unless it becomes frequent or starts affecting sleep.

Is My Baby’s Teeth Grinding a Concern?

You might want to speak to your pediatrician or pediatric dentist if:

The grinding is continuous or extremely loud.
It looks like your infant is in agony.
There is damage to the teeth (like chips or wear)
The grinding continues past age 3
Your child snores or has disturbed sleep

5 Tips That Work to Stop Baby Grinding Teeth During the Day

If your baby grinds their teeth while awake, it’s usually just a temporary habit. But if it starts happening a lot or seems to bother them, here are a few gentle, expert-approved tips to help:

1. Offer Teething Toys

Give your baby safe things to chew on like silicone teething rings, rubber toys, or chilled teething keys. These toys are designed to massage sore gums and keep little mouths busy in a safe way. It also redirects the grinding habit into something more soothing.

Keep a few teething toys around the house, in the diaper bag, and near their play area.

2. Keep Them Hydrated

Sometimes, a dry mouth can trigger Bruxism. Whether your kid is older than six months, make sure they are getting enough water, formula, or breast milk throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps keep their mouth moist and more comfortable.

If your baby is eating solids, offer sips of water during meals, too.

3. Use Calming Techniques

If your baby grinds their teeth when they are upset, overstimulated, or anxious, try to introduce calming activities.

Soothing music, gentle rocking, cuddles, or quiet time in a dimly lit room can help ease emotional stress that might lead to grinding.

A calming bedtime or nap routine can also reduce stress-related habits.

4. Offer Crunchy Baby Foods (for 9+ months)

Older babies who are eating solids may enjoy soft, crunchy foods that are safe to chew.

Think of steamed carrot sticks, banana chunks, or cucumber slices (always under supervision). These help satisfy the need to bite down while easing gum pressure.

Make sure pieces are soft enough to chew and big enough not to pose a choking risk.

Bonus Tip: Avoid Drawing Too Much Attention

Sometimes, babies do things more when they notice it gets a reaction. Try not to overreact or comment when you hear them grinding. Instead, gently distract them with a toy or a new activity.

The less focus you put on it, the quicker it may pass!

Need Extra Protection for Your Child’s Teeth?

If your child’s teeth grinding is strong enough to wear down enamel or cause discomfort, you may want to look into getting a custom mouthguard.

Palm Valley Orthodontics offers custom-made mouthguards that are soft, comfortable, and designed to protect your child’s teeth even during sleep. Whether it’s for sports or nighttime grinding, these guards are made to fit your child’s mouth perfectly.

5 Common Reasons Babies Grind Their Teeth [+5 Tips to Stop It]

What Is Teeth Grinding in Babies?