• Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
Press "Enter" to search
Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
  • Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Health Centers
  4. Children

Why Do Children Grind Their Teeth?

My granddaughter, age three, grinds her teeth in her sleep. Is there a cause for this or a remedy?

Andrew Weil, M.D. | March 7, 2007

Portrait of a cute little boy enjoying a day outdoorshttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pu/shoots/805409.jpg
1 min

Gritting or grinding teeth (the medical term for it is bruxism) is fairly common among young children, affecting three out of every ten. It is seen most often among kids under age five. No one knows exactly why they develop this tendency, but it could be because their upper and lower teeth aren’t properly aligned. Other possible causes are pain – such as an earache or eruption of a tooth – or even stress, perhaps due to frustration or tension at home or some change in routine.

Most kids outgrow this habit when they lose their baby teeth and, fortunately, it usually doesn’t hurt their permanent ones. As long as your granddaughter doesn’t complain of soreness in her jaw or face in the morning, she’s unlikely to suffer any ill effects. However, to be sure that the grinding isn’t wearing down the enamel on her teeth, it’s a good idea to take her to a pediatric dentist, who should be able to figure out whether the grinding is due to misaligned teeth or something else.

If the problem is stress, reassurance may be all that’s needed once you know what the trouble is. Getting into a routine of relaxation before bedtime can help, as well– a warm bath, music, or reading a book, for example. If a child’s teeth are being damaged by the grinding or when kids complain of pain or soreness in the face or jaw, a dental appliance called a night guard should be considered. Your dentist can tell you whether this is necessary, but very young children generally don’t need guards. (If one is recommended, you’re probably better off with a guard molded and fitted by the dentist rather than one sold over the counter, which may not fit or work as well as a custom appliance.)

I wouldn’t worry too much about this. In all likelihood, your granddaughter will outgrow the grinding by the time her permanent teeth come in.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Advertisement
Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging for Energy

If you are a parent or grandparent, you know that energy is vital to keeping up with the kids. Find out what foods and supplements can keep you energized – naturally! Join the Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging online plan today and get 14 days free!
Get Started
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Closeup photo of caring mother holding head on sick daughter forehead
Children

A Mystery Disease in Children?

Mom giving medicine to little girl – I
Children

A Placebo Pill to Comfort Kids?

Acupuncturist prepares to tap needle into patients hand
Children

Acupuncture for Children

Child having points stimulated during an Acupuncture Session.  The style being used was Japanese Acupuncture called Toyohari.  The tool in the picture is called Teishin.
Children

Acupuncture for Kids?

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Dr. Weil's Signature

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

© Copyright 2025 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com