Should I Take My 2 Year Old Son to the Dentist for Grinding His Teeth?

Its called bruxism and is actually quite common in young children. My two kids have chipped teeth from it. The dentists says they should grow out of it (one already has and the other does it less now)and seeing as its baby teeth the new ones will grow back fine. I would still keep an eye on it just incase and probably ask a dentist office for their opinion. (This is also a good way to search out a dentist you like by calling around for different opinions).
Most dentist see children from 3-4 years of age unless there is a problem like cavities etc. Lots of kids wont open thier mouths at 2 and will bite!
Good luck

I'm a Grandmother of 18, Mother of 7, and back when I was raising my kids, the advice was to check the child for pinworms when you notice grinding of teeth at night. Treatment usually involves the whole family but is only a single dose tablet.

I took my 23 month old son to the dentist for the first time yesterday, due to a tooth that got pushed back from a fall/mouth "bump" on Tuesday. I didn't think it was necessary, but having my dentist examine my baby's teeth and tell me he was all right, and what to watch for in case things became "not all right" was a great reassurance.

I say call your dentist and see what he says. Sometimes having an expert tell you it wasn't necessary is just the right treatment for your nerves!

As for regular checkups . . . I asked yesterday, and my dentist said that 3 yrs would be the time to try again. My son did a lot better than I expected (he gets very anxious around adults he doesn't know, and letting a stranger touch him - yikes!), but even still, it would have been a fight to let a hygienist clean his teeth. But see how your child does - maybe he'll like it, and it never hurts!

I just had my kids in for a cleaning this week and asked them about my 4 year old who grinds (doesn't that sound just creep you out??). They were not concerned about it, it appears to be very common(I have also been known to grind at night), and doesn't seem to do much damage, his teeth were perfect and he grinds every night. My dentist starts cleanings at about 3 to 3 - 1/2 years old. Hope this helps!

I was told by my dentist to just get a sports mouthguard at walmart. They are only a dollar something and they work well. They have them in childen's sizes and you just follow the directions to fit them. I think the clear ones are better than the black ones that they have. My daughter started using one when she was 3 and it is protecting her teeth well. I only have to replace it every couple of months. I had to trim hers a little in the back after fitting it but then it was perfect. When I see how much the mouthguard is wearing down I'm glad it's not her teeth even though they are only baby teeth and we don't hear that horrible grinding sound anymore. The dentist told me the guards they make are a few hundred dollars. I didn't start taking my children to the dentist until they were three. I think it is kind of scary for them before that anyway. Good luck.

Can't hurt for him to see a dentist anyway so I say go for it.

They make gaurds for people who grind their teeth. I would definately take him to see a dentist, and mention the grinding. Maybe they'll make a guard for him. Grinding can become a problem. Better safe than sorry.

Hi L.,
My son (now 5) also grinds his teeth at night. I started taking my son to the dentist at about 3. From what I understand, teeth grinding is pretty common in kids. After he is asleep at night, when I go in to make sure he's covered..he really starts grinding! It's kind of creepy how loud it can be. I would just mention it at his first dental visit.

Hi L.. I started taking my girls to the dentist when they were two. At first when you take them it's more of a learn how to brush your teeth, get to know the dentist and the office type of visit. It is really great to start between ages 2 & 3 so that they have great dental health and don't develop fears about the dentist. I recommend you go to a pediatric dentist. We have been going to Dentistry For Kids since 2000, they have four offices in the greater Pittsburgh area and are absolutly the best people!! My girls actually love going there!! The office staff, the Dentists, and the hygentist's are the best! Their web site is www.dentistry-for-kids.com I'm sure they can help you with your son's grinding problems. Good luck and best wishes!

My 8 year old still grinds at night and has for a long time. His dentist is the one who noticed it and told me that it was normal. They just keep an eye on things and said that a mouth guard might be an option when he has all of his permanent teeth but not right now. I asked if it was because he was nervous or stressed and the dentist told me that NO, some kids just do this at night and some don't. I think every dentist that you talk to will give you a different answer for when to start coming in. They don't start doing x-rays until about age 5. Fluoride begins around age 6, and cleanings can begin at any age.

I'd suggest taking him to the dentist. they may try to give him a night mouth guard. the care of baby teeth is super important because they hold the spaces for the adult teeth. i sucked my thumb for a long time when i was little. now my teeth are all crooked. i think it's important.