Late Start on Child’s Emerging Teeth

Simcoe Kids Dental weighs in on the details regarding delayed tooth eruption. (Source: Healthline, When to See a Dentist About Your Child’s Baby Teeth Not Coming In, by Kirsten Nunez, medically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, October 13, 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/when-to-worry-about-baby-teeth-not-coming-in ). 

Kirsten Nunez explains that the first set of teeth that appear after birth are called baby teeth or deciduous teeth. They are temporary and will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth. Simcoe Kids Dental shares, “Baby teeth usually begin to erupt between 6 to 12 months of age, but this timeline may vary for each child. However, it would be best to get your children’s dental checkups done right from the time they are six months old. It is imperative that kids oral care starts right on time.”

What is delayed tooth eruption?

Kirsten Nunez shares that children generally get their baby teeth when they are between six months to one year old. But this could vary from one child to another.

Simcoe Kids Dental highlights, “Delayed tooth eruption refers to a situation where teeth take longer to emerge or appear than what is considered typical. In most cases, delayed tooth eruption is not a cause for concern. It is simply due to individual variations in dental development. However, in some cases, delayed tooth eruption can indicate a sign of an underlying medical condition. It could point toward an issue with kids oral health. So, it requires attention from a pediatric dentist.”

What can cause baby teeth delay?

According to Kirsten Nunez, there could be several reasons for a delayed eruption of your baby’s teeth. It includes malnutrition, low birth weight, premature birth, developmental disorders, or genetic issues. It could also reflect syndromes like Down Syndrome, Apert Syndrome, Zimmerman-Laband-1 Syndrome, etc. 

Simcoe Kids Dental suggests, “A strong foundation is very important to make sure kids oral health does not suffer. Children’s dental checkups should start as soon as your child gets their first tooth or at six months of age, whichever is earlier. These checkups will help with the identification of any problem and can help you start treatment at the earliest.”

What are the risks of teeth delay in babies?

Kirsten Nunez shares that late teething could result in speech difficulties and improper chewing development. It could also lead to the child facing problems with expressions like smiling or frowning. 

Simcoe Kids Dental explains, “Delayed tooth eruption in babies usually does not pose significant risks to kids oral health or overall development. However, it may cause some temporary discomfort or inconvenience for the baby and parents. For example, delayed eruption of the teeth can lead to delayed weaning from breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, difficulty chewing solid food, and speech delays.”

When to consult a dentist?

Kirsten Nunez emphasizes the situation that needs immediate dentist visits. If your child has not had their 1st teeth eruption up until their 1st birthday, it is a cause of concern. Similarly, according to Kirsten Nunez, they should have gotten all their baby teeth by the time they are four years old.

Simcoe Kids Dental adds, “Apart from this, you need to make a dentist visit if you notice wide spaces between your kids’ teeth or observe missing teeth. Dentists can also help identify the cause behind unusual shapes or size of teeth.”

“Having said that, regular children’s dental checkups are a must. It is the most effective way to ensure kids oral care is done properly. Starting kids oral care routine at an early age is also quite important,” concludes Simcoe Kids Dental.