grinding teeth

Question
Hi, I have 2 guinea pigs (about 2 years old) and they are lately grinding their teeth a lot when they are not eating. I feed them pellets, hay, hard bread and wood chewing toys to prevent overgrowth of their teeth but the loud grinding noises concern me. Do guinea pigs normally grind their teeth and I just did not notice before or it's not usual behavior and I should take them to check their teeth at the vet? I tried to look in their mouth myself, but they just wont open wide and stay still, I am unable to check the teeth properly by myself.

Thank you very much for your help,
Alena

Answer
Alena,

Sometimes grinding of teeth can mean that they aren't getting enough vitamin C in their diets. So try providing them with vitamin C through fresh foods that contain a lot of C such as bell peppers, carrots, spinach (not a alot as it contains a lot of calcium.), collard greens (again not a lot), celery, oranges, and such. Try that for about 2 days and if you don't notice the grinding anymore then just keep providing them with the C but if they are still grinding their teeth you need to take the to see the vet just to make sure that nothing is wrong with their teeth as grinding that often is not normal. Occasional grinding is normal but continuous grinding isn't.

I hope this helps,
 Take care,
   Jules