Baby tooth grinding - Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

It’s not unusual to hear your baby or toddler grinding his or hers teeth at night. Most children will kick the habit by age 6 or 7 when their first permanent molars erupt. While some may continue to grind through their teen years. Tooth grinding usually does not cause for major concern, especially if the child is teething or experiencing developmental changes in their jaw alignment; however, it’s important to monitor for signs of excessive wear or jaw pain and consult Dr. Kaufman if concerns arise.

Tooth grinding becomes more of a problem with older children if it interferes with the normal growth and alignment of their permanent teeth. Nighttime clenching can wear down or chip teeth, make teeth more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, affect your child’s healthy bite, or lead to TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). It can also cause earaches and headaches.

Dr. Kaufman starts tracking your child’s teeth with an intraoral camera from their first visit, looking for unusual signs of wear and tear. Once severe wear is detected we will recommend a custom made a mouth guard for nighttime wear. Please click to see Dr. Kaufman in Glen Iris for an evaluation of child’s tooth wear and grinding habits.