Getting Baby Teeth
Berkeley Parents Network >
Advice >
Advice about Health >
Getting Baby Teeth
|
Late Getting Teeth
Uncommon Situations
|
Related Pages
|
Sept 2008
My baby is 12 month old w/o teeth. i was not worried about this
until we were at the pediatrician, and he actually seemed a bit
worried (and he's generally a calm guy, doesn't worry about
stuff). he looked at her gums, not swollen or anything. we are
going back in a month for a shot, and i could tell he wanted to
see some teeth. we both remembered that when i came in for her 6
month check up, she had a ''teething rash'' from drooling, and we
both thought her teeth were imminent.
I did a little bit of internet looking,and there is something
about late-teething and poor nutrition. My baby nurses, and
though she is on the smaller side (30percentile height/weight)
she is obviously in the realm of normal....my son was small too
at her age.
You can get an xray around this age if they have no teeth but i
would rather not do that.
He was also a late teether....he did get his first 4 teeth by 6
or 8 months, and then waited till 14 for all the rest.
anyway, i am guessing/hoping this is no biggie, but if folks can
put me out of my concern (who doesn't have a concern s/he is
undernourishing her baby somehow?????) i would be most appreciative.
thanks.
toothless but happy
Hello! Don't worry. I am a dentist and we see a wide range of
teething times. Yes, 12 mo is late to have no teeth but not
enough to worry us. We say normal can be up to a year late which
means 18 months for the first bottom teeth. No need to get an
Xray--I bet all is fine. Even if it is not, the xray will not
change the course of action. If, in the very rare case, he is
missing those front teeth, we do nothing about it at this age
anyway. In fact, not for another 3-4 years or so. So, not
necessary to expose him to xrays since it does nothing but give
us information that we will get anyway in time. We like
pediatricians to be involved in teeth and appreciate that that is
part of the well-baby check. However, if you were to visit a
pediatric dentist, we would note he has no teeth, ask about
nutrition (yours sounds fine) and do nothing but wait and
reassure the parents. Believe me, I know it is hard to have
anything not ''normal'' about our babies. My baby did not get any
teeth either until 15 months and you can imagine I was waiting
for those little things. Just think, easier to breastfeed!!
Dont worry.
I was a nanny for a now 10 yr old boy. He did not get his first
tooth until he was 13 months. He was happy, and able to gum
finger foods. He also lost his teeth later than most of his
friends at about 7, 7 1/2yrs old.
Don't worry, your baby will be fine!
anon
My advice is don't worry about it. My son didn't get his first
tooth until he was 16 months old. Our pediatrician told us that
she would recommend an x-ray at 18 months if he didn't have any
teeth by then. My son was also on the small side, and I nursed
him until 17 months.
My son is now 8 and has only lost one baby tooth. This upsets
him, as most kids start losing teeth in Kindergarten. We just
tell him his teeth will be newer and shinier than everyone
else's.
anon
My almost 3-year-old didn't get his first tooth until he was 11
months old and still doesn't have his last 4 molars (which most
kids have by 2 years). His pediatric dentist said that
sometimes there is a concern that the teeth aren't there but in
99.9% of cases they simply are slow to come in. If you are
really concerned, get the x-ray. Otherwise, I have a feeling
they'll start to come in soon. I would talk to a pediatric
dentist for more and not simply go by the concern of your
pediatrician. The best indication of timing is genetics, so if
you know anyone who might recall when your teeth (or the other
parent's teeth) came in, that might ease your mind.
Still waiting for molars
March 2007
My dear daughter just turned one last weekend, and she has no
teeth! My pediatrician says if she doesn't have any teeth by 15
months, she will have to go to a pediatric dentist and possible
have her teeth extracted. This sounds horrible! Any parents out
there with kids who got their first teeth after 1 year? What
was your experience and should I be worried?
Mom of toothless 1yo
Not to worry. My daughter didn't get her first teeth until 15 months (within two weeks
of starting to walk, no less). Then she got several at once. It is likely that she will
lose
her baby teeth late as well (she is now 6 with no loose teeth), but her dentist has said
that there are no negative effects from getting her teeth late.
Mom of late teether
Hi,
My daughter had the same problem, and almost all of her teeth
came in very quickly between 15-18 months without any trouble.
Before that point she was able to gum a large variety of foods so
we didn't have any eating difficulties. Her teeth, when they
finally erupted were perfect, and she has had no trouble since
that point. We never got a medical explanation for this, so
perhaps she was just at the extreme end of a bell curve for this
physiological milestone. Her second teeth all came in at the
normal time, and she has remained healthy and happy. If your
daughter's overall growth and development are going well it is
definitely possible that this problem will resolve itself without
radical intervention.
A Fellow Parent
My daughter, now in high school, didn't get teeth until she was
about 11mo. She was big baby (9lbs) and looked pretty funny
without teeth! However, they all came in. She lost her baby
teeth much later than her peers and started her period later, too
(ie 14 yo). Not such a bad thing. If it really worries you,
consult a pediatric dentist. Her teeth buds are already formed,
just waiting to push out. Nature has it's own timetable. Just
think how lucky that she (and you) don't have to worry about
tooth decay (yet).
Mom of Late Bloomer
My son had only three teeth at one year. His first didn't come in
until 9 months. The third just barely appeared in time for his
birthday. We felt lots of stress over this (he has a cousin 6
weeks younger who had 4 teeth before my son had his first!), but
our pedi reassured us it was no trouble. They come eventually.
Even now, we go months between new teeth appearing. I've heard
that the later teeth appear, the healthier they are. This may be
a myth to help ease the minds of those of us with slow teethers,
but it works for me!
anon
I think my son got his first tooth right before his first
birthday, but it wasn't much before. Also, his teeth didn't
follow the normal pattern of eruption. I took him to the
dentist when he was two for his first checkup. The dentist
noticed that his bottom lateral incisors had not come in even
though most of his other teeth had. She said he might not have
them because they usually appear before molars and canines.
They came in too, shortly after the checkup. He is three now
and has all his baby teeth.
My kids both got their teeth after 1 year- I was kind of sad when they did, as I love the
toothless grin!!!
some just get them later than others
gummo
My now 8 year old son didn't get any teeth until he was 14-1/2
months old. And then he got 6 at one time. My husband was in
dental school at the time and I heard the same thing -- at 15
months we will take a panoramic xray to be sure there are
teeth. And low and behold, at 14-1/2 months -- six teeth came
in at once. And just for the record, he didn't lose any teeth
until he was 6-1/2 years old. Enjoy the toothless grins now :-)
Chanel
My daughter got her first tooth at about 13 months.
Fortunately, I wasn't worried because my MIL said my husband
didn't have any teeth at his first birthday (and he apparently
still had some baby teeth in high school). My daughter is 26
months now, and she has four top teeth, four molars and only
two bottom teeth...much fewer than her peers. In our case,
it's all in the genes. Check your family histories if at all
possible...you might be able to relax if you know it's ''just in
the family.''
Anon
I'm sure this has come up before on BPN, and I'm sure you'll get many responses.
Yes, my first child didn't get her first tooth until 15 months or so, and that first one
was a molar! She didn't get her front bottom teeth until about 16 months and her
top ones until 18 months. We too were worried, but the pediatrician said there were
only 2 conditions he knew about that would be a problem. 1 would also affect her
hair and nails, so since these were fine we weren't worried about that. The second
was that if she didn't get any teeth by 16 months they would do a dental x-ray to
make sure she had a full set of baby teeth. But of course it didn't come to that. BTW,
we also heard that when teeth come in late they are stronger and have less time to
get cavities. She is 7 now and was a little late losing her first tooth, but not much
after her peers.
--don't worry at all
Our first child didn't get her first tooth until 13 mos and slowly slowly got her
teeth. She's 4 now and has beautiful teeth. Our MD never mentioned anything
about extraction!
don't worry about it
Our daughter also didnt have any teeth when she was One. Infact
they didnt start emerging until she was 18 months old. She is
now nearly two and still only has 8 teeth, but the molars are
just starting to show. Tooth extraction seems a little
excessive and I am glad that I wasn not threatened with that
option. I was told that she was growing her brain and not her
teeth and that they would come when they were ready. Remember
children grow and develop at different rates - there are no
hard and fast rules (well there shouldnt be!). So my advice is
wait and dont worry. Obviously with no teeth some types of food
can be tricky. I kept the food mainly soft and sloppy, but the
gums are tough and can do almost all that teeth can do.
Becky
Hi,
My daughter shocked us by getting one tooth before 12 mos. My son
was 13 mos before his first tooth. Their 4 cousins were similar -
one was really late. My brothers & I got our first teeth after 1
yr. we are fine, our kids are fine. variations of normal I guess!
In our family first teeth after one year is normal, not unusual.
late teethers & all ok
My daughter had NO teeth on her first birthday. The dentist said the
later they are in, they less time they are exposed to decaying
elements! She has a mouth full of teeth and losing them later
than her friends.
My son had no teeth until 15 months. The dentist said not to worry. Now he
is nine
and he has only lost 4 of his teeth! His x-rays in early childhood showed
all the
teeth hiding in there. The dentist said it was a good thing that they stay
protected
longer. He is also extra small and we are told will go through puberty
late (15).
north berkeley mom
Sept 2006
My soon to be 13mo old still does not have any teeth. He has
gone through many episodes of fussy finger biting and drooling
and each time we think, ''this is it!''. But no teeth. When
should we start to worry? The Dr said 18mo. Has anyone else
experienced very late teeth? My sister told me that because
they are so late, they must be really big, and now I have
visions of big horse teeth in my little sweet babies mouth.
Tooth Worry
Not to worry. My first child didn't get her first tooth until 15 months,
and then it was a molar! We only noticed it when we were in the airport
on the way to a trip and we thought we were in big trouble since we
didn't bring any teething things with us, but it turns out she didn't
want any of that baby stuff anyway. She didn't end up getting her front
teeth until around 18 months. (And they are perfectly normal
size!) We too were worried, but our doctor told us that the only
problems that would affect the teeth would also affect hair and nails,
so if those are normal I wouldn't worry. If he hasn't gotten any by
16mos you can get an x-ray to make sure that he has a set ready to come
in, but he'll almost certainly get one before then.
Basically I think you should consider yourself lucky, because toddlers
don't seem as disturbed by teething as babies. Also, when they come in
late I think the teeth are stronger (and have had less time to get
decay). (Our second child didn't get her first tooth until 13 mos too,
and now she too has a full set of normal baby teeth.) --happy to have
had 2 late teethers
My daughter did not get her first tooth until she was 13 months old.
When they did come in, they were the same size as everyone else's. Not
only that, while people said that she would probably also be late to
loose her baby teeth, she ended up being right about average in that
regard. So, it just goes to show.
anon
My older son was the same way--his first tooth came in about thirteen or
fourteen months, and then all the rest trickled in very very slowly.
He's going to be three in two weeks and is still missing his
two-year-old molars. Don't worry, your kid's will come in eventually,
and it's amazing how well they can manage food with what seems like not
enough teeth Holly
My son didn't have teeth until 18 month. I didn't worry that much simply
because worry wouldn't help. My mother inlaw told me that my husband had
his teeth late and the dentist told her that the late teeth are better.
So you may want to wait for a while until you worry about it. Good luck
a relaxed mom
My daughter did not get her first tooth until 14 months. She is now 17
months with 6 teeth. Our pediatrician reassured us as well, and said
its usually genetic. Honestly I feel lucky that she got them so late,
we had no problems with teething, and now she is old enough to
communicate what she wants!
late teeth too
My daughter's playmate is only now getting her teeth at 19-20 months.
Rather than getting just 1, she's getting 6. Her teeth are baby-sized,
no horse face on that charming girl. relax!
grinning girls
I cut my teeth late (according to my mother). They are normal size
teeth. The only drawback was that I still had baby teeth in sixth grade
and the dentist ended up pulling them to speed up my being able to wear
braces. I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure there are some choppers in
there anon
Listen to your ped. My daughter is 13 months, and still has only the 2
teeth she got at
6 months. Like you, we noticed subsequent drooling and teething
behavior, but no teeth coming. Now, finally, it looks like she IS
getting some more, though they haven't broken through yet, and, if
they're anything like the first two, they'll take a LOOOOOONG time to
come in. So, no worries, it's all different for different babies, and
it's hereditary. One of the mom's in my mom's group has a little boy
who's now 10 months, but had SIX teeth by 5 months of age! Yikes! :)
Mommy of Miss Toothless
Hi- We have a 3 year old and 18 month old. Our 3 year old got her first
tooth at a year and then they all came flying in within six months. My
son did not get one until 14 months and still only has 4. I was really
late getting my teeth too and have had no problems with my teeth- they
say it is genetic so maybe ask if you and/or the father/donor were late
in getting teeth. My son still eats EVERYTHING with no problem and both
kids' teeth are normal size and did not have any challenges when they
did come in. So...I'd go with your doctor- don't worry until 18 months
and then if still none, see a pediatric dentist. Until then, admire
their cute toothless face- there should not be anything to worry about.
wendy
July 2005
My daughter is 12.5 months old and she doesnt have a single
tooth! My physician is not concerned but I wondered if others
out there have had this pattern.
Don't worry at all. My oldest didn't get her first tooth until about 15 mos, and then
it was a molar! She didn't get her front teeth until about 18 mos. The doctor said
not to worry until 16 mos. She had no problem with her hair and fingernails (which
might indicate some other kind of problem). He said that after 16 mos they could
do a dental x-ray just to make sure that there was a set of baby teeth there, but that
is very very rare. The pluses are that later emerging teeth are probably stronger,
and you don't have to worry about brushing them now, not to mention not having to
deal with a teething baby! (The minus, which is not a big deal, is that now that she
is 6 most of her friends have already lost teeth and hers are still rock solid, so she
feels a little left out of the tooth fairy thing for now.) Our second child also got her
teeth late, her first one coming around 13 mos or so. Neither seemed to have any
problem with teething as a toddler.
mom of 2 late teethers
Our daughter didn't get her first tooth until just after her
1st birthday. It's unusual but nothing to worry about. Also
it seems to be hereditary. My wife didn't lose her first baby
tooth until she was a freshman in college.
T
My oldest daughter didn't get her first tooth until 15.5 mos old.
It certainly never stopped her from eating! I too was mildly
concerned, but the doc said the only kids who dont' get teeth are
those with other severe problems. Once they came in, they came in
pretty fast and it didn't take her long to catch up. She just
lost her first tooth at age 6.5 which is pretty late, but all is
well!
Hilary
All I can tell you is that my mother was the same way, back in
the 1930s. She had no teeth at one year and her mother took her
to the doctor who told her not to worry. Of course my mom did
eventually get her teeth, a fine set, and has only had one small
cavity her entire life in spite of growing up without fluoride.
Hope this helps you.
Dianna
My daughter (now almost 5) didn't start getting teeth until she was 15 months old
(within two weeks of starting to walk). The dentist hasn't thought there was
anything wrong (she has them all), although it is likely that she won't lose them until
later than the norm.
Parent of another late teether
April 2005
My 18 month old has 8 teeth (4 front ones on the top and bottom)
but no others. The 8 teeth he does have came in when he was
around 8 months old. It seems odd to me that he has had nothing
since, although he often acts likes he's teething (gumming
things, drooling, biting, more drooling). When should I start
to worry that he's not developing any more teeth? I know babies
teethe at different rates, but I've never heard of a 10 month
gap in teeth coming in...He's a great eater, and drinks plenty
of milk and gets lots of calcium, and he doesnt seem to have any
deformed bone structure in his jaw. Has anyone else experienced
a time lag in tooth development?
mom of a cute chipmunk
we're going through exactly the same thing, although my son only has 6
teeth at 15 mos, after getting the first six around
8 mos. we're slower than you! on the other hand, I've seen babies his
age who have only 2 or 4 teeth, so I'm assuming it's no big deal. I'll
be curious to see what others say, though.
similarly toothless
Feb 2008
We are pretty certain that our 5 month old just cut her first
tooth since we can feel and see a white bump on her gum. What is
unusual is that it's one of her back teeth on the side -- we
think it's her canine or cuspid tooth.
Almost everything we've read says that usually baby's get their
bottom front and top fronts first. Should we be worried about
this? Is it really unusual for teeth to erupt in a different
order? Is it common for the baby's gums to bleed when the tooth
comes out? When should we first see a pediatric dentist?
It is uncommon, though not unusual for a canine or molar to
appear first. Nothing at all to worry about- by the way
primary teeth don't contain bicuspids, just incisors, canines
and molars. Teeth can come in any order, although more
commonly, it goes incisors, 1st year molars (though teeth can
come at any time), canines and then 2nd year molars).
Gums may bleed a little when the tooth actually erupts. Don't
worry about seeing a pediatric dentist until your child is at
least 2 unless your pediatrician tells you to do so early.
Don't forget to brush those teeth and gums! You can use plain
water and a wash cloth, gauze or baby toothbrush. Toddler
toothpaste is ok, but not necessary as long as it does NOT
contain flouride. No flouride toothpaste for children who are
not ready to learn how to spit. Too much ingested flouride can
cause discoloration to permanent adult teeth.
anon
We thought the same when our son was 4 months old. The doctor said it
was a
harmless cyst (also called Epstein Pearl). They come and go. His first
teeth came in in
front when he was 6.5 months. There are other things that can look like
teeth, too. Just
check with your doctor. It could possibly, be teeth, but it's unlikely.
toothy baby
Sept 2003
My eigth month old recently got his 2 front upper teeth; I am
concerned because of the excessive gap between the two teeth.
The gap is big enough to house a third tooth! Should I at all
be concerned?
First Time Mom
My daughter didn't have the gap and now at 7 she is having
orthodontic work as there wasn't enough space for her large
adult teeth to come in. The dentist said that my son's gap was
great as it would allow the adult teeth to come in without
moving the other teeth. You might want to schedule a visit to
the dentist just for reassuance and to see how your child's
teeth are coming in. It is a good time for your child to begin
seeing a dentist and learning about good oral care.
lopez
Not to belabor the obvious, but have you asked your pediatrician
or called a pediatric dentist. I know there's a lot of talk
about early orthodontic intervention these days, but kids' teeth
move around a lot and the next ones to come in may push those
front teeth together. So ... take a deep breath, calm down, and
ask the doctor what to do. Smile!
Gap toothed as a kid
My son also had a gap between his front teeth when those
teeth first came in. By the time a few more appeared--just a
few months--the gap closed. Perhaps that will happen for
your child, too.
Carolyn
Don't worry about it! According to my pediatric dentist, more
room is better in the early years -- the major cause of braces
is crowding of teeth. Plus the adult teeth are SO much bigger
than the baby teeth.
susan
I would say it’s too early to worry about her teeth. As the
other’s come in there will be some shifting. You might not even
know how her permanent teeth will come in until her baby teeth
fall out around 7 or 8.
Nov 2003
I have a son who is almost 8 months old. Last weekend, one bottom tooth
finally broke through. My question is: is it common to have each
tooth come in one by one? I thought that babies get the two bottom teeth at
the same time, the two top teeth at the same time, etc., but it looks as though
my son only has one bottom tooth coming in.
Curious new mom
My son got his third bottom tooth at around 8 months, and his fourth one (the
matching one on the other side) almost 6 months later -- after he had got some
of his molars. I had given up on it and decided it would never come in , when
it finally showed up. Karen
they usually come in one at a time.
suzie
Hi, I don't think it's common but it happens. Our oldest had one
bottom teeth for a couple of months. Then they others painfully
came after. My only advice, take a lot of pictures!!!
m
this page was last updated: Jan 3, 2009
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network