A ten-month-old baby grinding their teeth may be caused by a variety of reasons, including oral conditions, calcium deficiency, irregular digestive system, intestinal parasitic infections, and psychological factors.
During teething, babies often feel gum soreness, swelling, or itching, and grinding teeth becomes a way to relieve discomfort. Additionally, gingivitis, cavities, or improper teeth alignment may also prompt babies to grind their teeth, especially since early-stage cavities may be accompanied by tooth itching. However, orthodontic treatment typically waits until the child is around four years old and is conducted in a specialized pediatric dental department.
Calcium deficiency is closely related to a baby grinding their teeth; clenching one’s teeth is a manifestation of grinding, which mostly occurs at night.
If a baby eats too much for dinner or has indigestion, the food accumulated in the gastrointestinal tract can irritate the digestive system, which in turn stimulates the nervous system and affects the brain, causing the baby to grind their teeth unconsciously during sleep.
Intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and tapeworms, are active during the night and release various toxins, which may also be a factor in the baby grinding their teeth at night.
Excessive excitement during the day or vigorous activities before bedtime can keep a baby’s brain in an excited state for a long time, affecting the quality of nighttime sleep, thus leading to teeth grinding.
Moreover, health issues like epilepsy and tic disorders can also cause babies to grind their teeth, and such situations should be diagnosed promptly to prevent the condition from worsening.
Considering that a baby’s nervous system is still developing, occasional teeth grinding may be a normal phenomenon, which often improves as they grow. However, if the grinding behavior occurs frequently, it is best to seek medical attention promptly to determine the specific cause and take appropriate measures.
