Question

A 11-month-old baby has recently been experiencing frequent grinding teeth during the day, and parents are seeking professional advice to understand the possible causes and appropriate handling methods.

Answer

Grinding teeth, also known as bruxism, refers to the unconscious act of grinding or clenching teeth during sleep or when awake. For a 11-month-old baby, grinding teeth may be related to various factors, including psychological, emotional, dental, systemic, occupational, and spontaneous factors. Although the exact cause of nighttime grinding is not yet clear, parents can try the following methods to alleviate the baby’s grinding situation:

  1. If the baby has a poor appetite, consider supplementing with zinc to promote appetite and overall health.
  2. For dry hands and feet, it is recommended to use baby-specific moisturizing cream to keep the skin hydrated.
  3. If the baby has a cough, try using loquat pear syrup with rock sugar, a traditional remedial method that may help alleviate coughing.