Your baby goes through a lot in their first year of life! One of their most significant developments is tooth eruption. It's an exciting time when new teeth emerge because you'll be able to introduce your little one to solid foods, and they'll soon start learning speech patterns and how to form words with their new teeth.
However, new teeth can also cause discomfort for your baby and could result in them forming habits like teeth grinding (bruxism). Here's what you should know.
What Causes Infant Bruxism?
Your little one may be exploring their new teeth by grinding them, which is natural unless it develops into a future habit.
Infant tooth grinding can also be due to discomfort rather than exploration. Teething can be uncomfortable, and your child may be suffering.
Most kids naturally grow out of teeth grinding over time. However, if your older child is still grinding their teeth, you may need to take action to ensure they don't damage their adult teeth or cause jaw (TMJ) pain.
What to Do If You're Baby Is Grinding Their Teeth
For babies, there are several types of teething toys you can try to relieve their discomfort. Teething toys can be made of rubber or silicone, which is comfortable for your baby to gnaw on. You might also try a teether you can freeze, which can help to numb any pain they may have.
Older children who grind their teeth may need a custom mouth guard to wear at night. This guard protects their adult teeth from damage and wear caused by bruxism.
We're Here to Help!
If you have concerns about your baby grinding their teeth, don't hesitate to call your team at Palos Pediatric Dentistry! Our dentist will perform an exam and discuss your options for eliminating bruxism if it's a problem for your child.
Contact us at (708) 263-6708 to learn more about why we're the pediatric dentist in Palos Heights that patients trust.
