I cant sleep train my child!

I just started sleep training my 1 year so he can put himself to sleep before his brother is born in a few months. Well this child figured outlast night that he can bite/grind his teeth on his crib rail to the point that it shaves off the finish and even peices of wood. I cant leave him in his crib even slightly awake(which is the goal) or he will get up and start doing this. I have no idea how to correct this behavior. Its so bad for his teeth and the crib was a gifted hand me down from my SIL and its from '07, I have no idea the brand do I have no idea what is in the finish and if its harmful or not. I'm at my wits end, I cant even put him in his crib because as soon as he wakes up, at anytime he will start doing this! Is there anything I can even do??