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I'll be honest: nothing quite prepared me for the moment I heard my 8-month-old grinding her tiny teeth. I froze. That awful squeaky sound sent shivers down my spine, and it sounded painful—even though she didn’t seem too bothered. I thought teething was already tough enough, but now… tooth grinding?
Is Tooth Grinding Normal in Babies?
Apparently, yes. I learned that teeth grinding (also called bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies once those first few teeth come in. For many, it’s just them exploring a new sensation in their mouths, especially when those top front teeth start meeting the bottom ones. My little one recently started cutting her two big front teeth, and that seems to have triggered this new habit.
Still, hearing that sound for the first time? made me hold on to the edge of my bed and take two deep breaths!
What Actually Helped (And What Didn't)
I’ve tried teething powders, but if I’m being honest, I don’t find they do much. My baby just enjoys the taste—and that’s about it.
Here’s what’s actually been helping us:
🧊 Cold Fruit or Sugar-Free Ice Pops
Giving her cold slices of fruit (in a mesh feeder) or homemade sugar-free ice pops is a game changer. It distracts her, soothes her tgums, and helps her stop grinding—at least for a little while.
🌿 Cloves for Natural Numbing
One thing that surprisingly worked for us was crushed cloves wrapped in a clean cloth. Clove has a natural numbing effect (a trick I picked up from old-school remedies). I let her chew on it while I supervised. She seemed to calm down, and it gave her something safe to gnaw on.
💊 Calpol (When Absolutely Needed)
I try not to reach for medicine unless it’s clear she’s really struggling. But when the pain seems to spike—especially around bedtime—Calpol has helped settle her. I know not every parent is comfortable with medication, but a kind ex-nurse I met in the supermarket shared how her four boys all teethed with the help of Calpol, and they turned out just fine. She reminded me: as long as we follow the instructions, it’s safe and sometimes necessary.
The Grinding Is Still Ongoing...
While I’ve managed the discomfort and chewing, the tooth grinding hasn’t totally stopped. I’m keeping a close eye on it. Most sources say it’s just a phase that babies outgrow once they’re used to their teeth—or once more teeth come in to balance out the bite.
For now, I’m focusing on:
Offering her lots of safe, cold things to chew
Monitoring her grinding without panicking
Talking to other mums (because wow, this journey is so much easier when you share it!)
A gentle Reminder to Fellow Parents!
If your baby is grinding their teeth too, try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know). It’s likely just another developmental stage—and another surprise parenting throws our way. You’re not alone in this.
🩺Temperature Changes During Teething: What’s Normal?
While teething can cause some changes in your baby’s body, it’s important to know what’s normal and when to seek medical advice.
💡 Normal Teething Symptoms:
Drooling
Chewing on hands or toys
Irritability or crankiness
Mild temperature (but not a high fever)
Trouble sleeping
Swollen or red gums
Slight change in feeding habits
🌡️ What About Temperature?
Many parents, myself included, notice that their baby feels warmer than usual while teething—especially at night.
✅ A mild rise in body temperature (around 37.5°C / 99.5°F) can be normal.🚫 But anything over 38°C (100.4°F) is considered a fever and likely not due to teething alone. In those cases, it's best to consult your GP or pediatrician, as it could signal an infection (like a cold or earache).
👉 For my daughter, her temperature would rise slightly at night, and she’d get extra fussy. I used a forehead thermometer to keep track, and some nights, Calpol was the only way she could settle.
Here’s a curated list of safe, helpful teething products
| Product Type | UK Link Suggestion | US Link Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone Fruit Feeder | Amazon uk | Amazon USA |
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