Toddler Moving Jaw Side to Side: Is it Normal or Serious?

Understanding Your Toddler’s Jaw Movements

It can be concerning for parents to notice unusual body movements or facial tics in their young children. One pattern you may observe is your toddler's jaw moving from side to side repeatedly.

Seeing this involuntary motion makes parents naturally worry there could be something neurologically wrong. But in many cases, it’s actually a harmless habit in young kids.

When Side to Side Jaw Motion is Common

Parents often notice the issue of toddler moving jaw side to side appearing between the ages of 1-4 years old. This repetitive movement is classified as a “habit tic” and tends to come and go randomly.

It may only last for a few weeks or months before disappearing on its own without treatment. Then it could potentially reappear again down the road during periods of fatigue, stress or excitement.

Possible Causes in Toddlers

Doctors aren’t entirely sure what causes this temporary tic of jaw moving from side to side in young kids. Potential contributing factors may include:

• Normal erratic development of motor and nervous system
• Self-soothing habit during periods of discomfort from things like ear infections or teething
• Mirroring or mimicking another family member’s movements
• Genetic tendency towards tics
• Environmental triggers like fatigue, anxiety, stress or excitement

Often no specific cause is found. The good news is habit tics tend to resolve on their own without the need for therapy in most toddlers.

Distinguishing Normal Habit Tics from Serious Conditions

While disconcerting for parents to observe, transient tics of jaw movements from side to side are harmless in otherwise healthy toddlers. But how can you be sure more serious neurological or medical conditions aren’t to blame?

Features of Normal Toddler Tics

Some reassuring qualities pointing to a likely harmless habit tic include:

• Intermittent nature that comes and goes
• No associated impairment or developmental delays
• Only occurring during wakeful hours rather than in sleep
• Possible triggering or intensifying during excitement or fatigue
• Often disappearing for a period of weeks or months

Red Flags to Watch For

Some warning signs that may indicate an underlying condition warranting further evaluation include:

• Onset after age 4 years old
• Persisting for over a year with no periods of remission
• Worsening or increasing frequency over time
• Impacting speech or ability to swallow
• Associated involuntary sounds or body motions
• Other physical or developmental delays present
• Family history of genetic or chronic tic disorders

If any of these red flags are present in addition to toddler jaw tics, consult your pediatrician or child neurologist.

When to Seek Medical Advice

As children grow older, transient tics tend to fade without intervention by age 4 or 5. So if your toddler’s habit of moving jaw side to side is only occasional and doesn’t cause impairment, simply monitoring it is reasonable.

But in some situations medical evaluation may be warranted, like if:

• It begins after age 4
• It occurs many times an hour persistently
• It worsens over time
• It spreads to involve other body parts like arms or legs
• It contributes to physical problems like trouble chewing/swallowing
• Your child seems very distressed by tics

Seeking a professional assessment can help determine if tics are due to maturation or an underlying condition requiring treatment.

Consulting Your Pediatrician

As a first step your child’s doctor will likely:

• Take a full history of symptoms
• Evaluate triggers, frequency and severity of tics
• Assess for presence of other delays or disabilities
• Review family history of neurological disorders
• Perform a physical exam for other subtle signs
• Potentially order tests like bloodwork or imaging scans

This thorough evaluation can detect if an alternate diagnosis beyond habit tics exists requiring therapy.

Seeing a Child Specialist

If tics are severe or doctor testing is inconclusive, you may be referred to a pediatric neurologist or movement disorder specialist for further assessment. They can determine if uncommon causes could be contributing, like:

• Medication side effects
• Autoimmune disorders
• Genetic conditions
• Metabolic disorders
• Infection or inflammation
• Brain/nerve malformations

These specialists have expertise in recognizing rare tic triggers and guiding appropriate treatment.

Available Treatment Options for Chronic Tic Disorders

While simple toddler jaw tics often resolve without intervention, more persistent, severe or complex tics may warrant therapy. Treatment approaches can include:

Behavioral Interventions

Strategies to reduce tic severity and frequency may involve habit reversal training or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Medications

Drugs that may lessen tics include alpha agonists like clonidine or guanfacine, antipsychotics and botox injections for very localized tics.

Deep Brain Stimulation

In severe, resistant cases, surgically implanting electrodes to stimulate parts of the brain has shown effectiveness in managing difficult tic disorders.

The right treatment depends on factors like tic chronicity, type, severity and impairment alongside patient age and preference.

Coping Strategies for Parents

Noticing your toddler repeatedly moving jaw side to side can cause distress. But try to remember most simple motor tics in young kids resolve on their own without needing significant intervention. Some tips that may help parents cope include:

Avoid Drawing Excessive Attention

Limit frequently commenting on or reacting strongly to your child’s tics, which can worsen them. Stay calm and matter-of-fact if discussing them.

Watch for Triggers

Take note of any factors that seem to worsen tics like fatigue, stress, excitement or certain settings, then make reasonable accommodations to minimize them.

Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle

Promote good sleep habits, nutritious food, regular exercise and stress management skills to help create a stable environment.

Find Positive Supports

Connect with understanding family members, friends, parents of children with tics or support groups to manage your own stress.

Emphasize Your Child’s Other Strengths

Boost their self-confidence by focusing praise on all the activities they excel at besides this single challenging issue.

With family support and patience, both you and your child can get through transient tic stages that tend to resolve given time in otherwise healthy toddlers.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.