HELP With 13 Mo Old Grinding Her Teeth!!

Updated on February 06, 2009
T.S. asks from Salem, OR
9 answers

My daughter just turned 13 months old. And she has had a HORRIBLE time with her teeth, she got 6 at once on the top!!! Poor thing! So, she has 6 on the top and just 2 on the bottom. And she constantly grinds them together~drives me crazy!!! I don't want her to get in that habit so early~My husband and I are both teeth grinders. I am wondering if this is normal? I was thinking that maybe she is experiencing a new feeling in her mouth or something? We are trying to get her off of her binky too, but the only way we can stop her from grinding her teeth is if she has her binky in her mouth. Has anybody ever experienced this?

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C.R.

answers from Seattle on

My daughter grinded her teeth too. I looked it up online and it said it was just a phase. Just experimenting with the new teeth. She grew out of it. My advice would be to ignore it at this point and not make an issue out of it. I think she will get bored with it like my daughter did.

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H.D.

answers from Portland on

Hi T.,

Oh, goodness, yes, your daughter is experiencing some new sensations in her mouth! I don't think it's a deliberate habit, but one to allieviate the pain of teething.

If it were me, I'd visit a pediatric chiropractor. Sometimes the bones in the skull or jaw can be slightly misaligned (due to the birth process, which reshapes the head, head-banging or falls...it happens to all kids) and cause more aggravation than usual. My 21 month old son visits a ped chiro once a month. He did go through a short few days of grinding his teeth when he was younger, and again a few months later. We were relieved to see that these bouts disappeared after an adjustment. They haven't returned.

As for the binky...our son gave his up about three months ago, all on his own. He waited until he was done getting his teeth (except his two-year molars, which are coming in now). He's seen his pacifier around the house a few times, tries it for a minute and isn't interested any more. We're throwing them away as they are re-discovered. But I held off until he was done with his major (front) teeth, and things worked out on their own. Don't sweat it.

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Z.A.

answers from Seattle on

Aaargh. Sooooooooo annoying.

We took ours to our dentist/orthodontist. We were told it can be a normal facet of teething, AND that since he checked out son's enamel and it was strong...not to do a darn thing about it. After his permanent teethe come in, then we're allowed to worry about it. Our dentist checks his teethe every six months though, and to date, nothing to worry about.

Gack.

The sound drove me up the wall.

So I'd reccomend seeing a dentist, and getting a professional opinion.

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T.O.

answers from Portland on

My daughter also grinded her teeth as they came in. I have researched this and even talked to someone at our dental office. From everything I have read and heard this is completely normal and she will eventually stop. They are just trying out the new teeth and getting used to the feeling of having them. My daughter went thru 2 phases of the grinding and at the age of alnost 2 1/2 doesn't do it at all. I know how annoying it is, but you just have to wait it out. Hang in there!

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B.H.

answers from Seattle on

I had the same concern with my oldest, But when i brang it up to the dentist, they say its normal. It will not hurt them. Obviously different story for adults.
But in kids its has to do with jaw alignment and dealing with new teeth. But if you are overly concened bring it up at the next well child check up.

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A.D.

answers from Portland on

T.,
Our son did, and still does on occasion, grind his teeth. He is 8yrs now and has just began to get his permanent teeth. You should see his baby teeth. They are so worn down that they look like he's been chewing on rocks.

Our pediatric dentist has been keeping tabs on his teeth since he was 1yr old. Teeth grinding is normal and they usually grow out of it. Dentists keep a closer eye on these children for signs of problems. If one arises, they state their recommendations. Our son doesn't need intervention and his permanent teeth look great.

Talk with a pediatric dentist and/or set her up with an appointment to ease your mind.

Best wishes.

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A.K.

answers from Seattle on

Oh that is SO awful!! My son has done the same thing off and on while teething and getting used to his new teeth. I think it's a pretty normal thing for them to do, so I'd try not to worry too much about it turning into a habit just yet.
I'd also suggest maybe waiting a bit longer before trying to eliminate the pacifier, at least until a lull in the teething, since she finds comfort it in and it helps with the grinding (my son is a thumb-sucker).
GL!

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L.S.

answers from Portland on

My son did the same thing, drove me nuts- but he grew out of it. He did it for about a month or so..She may just do the same;-)

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K.M.

answers from Seattle on

My daughter does the same thing when she is teething. I hate it and stop her immediately every time. Yesterday I tried flicking her under the chin when she did it. I used to do this with all of my kids when they were breast feeding and thought they would try taking a chomp on mom's nipple. The flick under the chin broke all three of them from biting, now I am hoping it will stop her from grinding. However; it sounds like your little one may be teething and the dentist that I spoke with said it is perfectly normal. Also, my daughter did this a few months ago when she got her bottom teeth, then she stopped until now as her top ones are coming in - so hopefully it will stop for you too when the teeth she is working on come in.

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