When to worry about baby teeth not coming in is a question many new parents face. So when do babies’ teeth come in? The average age for teething is between 6 and 12 months, though some babies get teeth earlier and some later. Timing isn’t that important; however, if your baby still has no teeth by 18 months of age, it may be time to see a pediatric dentist for an evaluation. In most cases, delayed tooth eruption is no real concern. However, it is still a good idea to get a specialist's opinion.
Baby teeth coming in late can be caused by several different factors, such as:
Developmental disorders: Delayed tooth eruption is more common in babies with developmental disorders such as hypopituitarism, a disorder of the pituitary gland (the gland that secretes growth hormones) that results in delayed growth and development.
At one end of the spectrum, we see parents whose baby has no teeth at 12 months, and they are concerned that there may be a serious health issue. On the other end of the spectrum, some people think late teething is a sign of intelligence.
The reality is: There are no serious risks associated with baby teeth coming in late (and no indication that this is a sign of higher intelligence). However, some studies have shown that children with late tooth eruption are at increased risk of tooth decay.
Practicing good oral hygiene at home and keeping up with regular dental visits are important for good oral health. There is also a greater chance that a child with delayed tooth development will need orthodontic care later in childhood or during adolescence.
Neither of these risks is a major cause for concern, as nearly 80% of children will need orthodontic care before they reach adulthood, and routine pediatric dental care and hygiene should be a regular part of everyone’s routine.
In most cases, delayed tooth eruption does not pose a risk to a child’s permanent teeth or long-term oral health.
There's no need to treat delayed tooth eruption unless it's caused by malnutrition. We just need to keep an eye on it. We do know, though, that delayed tooth eruption can indicate future dental problems that need treatment — primarily orthodontic issues.
If your child experiences delayed eruption of primary teeth, they might have trouble eating certain healthy foods that require biting. You may need to consult with a nutritionist to make sure their diet is well-rounded.
Most babies will develop teeth between 6 months and 12 months of age. If you’re worried that your baby’s first tooth hasn’t come in yet, contact Woodhill Dental Specialties to make an appointment. We specialize in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, as these two services go hand in hand. You can visit one office for all your kids’ oral care needs from when they are babies through adolescence.
Around three months of age, babies begin to explore the world around them — primarily by sticking everything they can get ahold of right in their mouth. Many parents think this new behavior means that their baby has started teething, but a first tooth typically appears around six months old.
The lower front teeth (lower central incisors) are almost always the first teeth to come in, and most children will have all of their baby teeth by three years of age.
Most babies develop their first tooth between 6 and 12 months of age, so an 8-month-old with no teeth is still well within the normal range. There's no need to be concerned at this stage. Keep watching for signs of teething, such as drooling, chewing on objects, and mild fussiness, and continue regular dental visits as scheduled.
A 9-month-old with no teeth is still considered normal. Tooth eruption timing varies widely from child to child, and some babies simply develop on a slower schedule with no underlying cause. Unless your child is showing other signs of developmental delay, there's no reason to worry yet.
The American Dental Association recommends a child's first dental visit when their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. If your child has reached 12 months without teeth, this is a good time to schedule their first visit. In most cases, everything is fine, but an exam and X-rays can confirm whether teeth are developing normally beneath the gums.
If your child has no teeth by 18 months, we recommend scheduling a pediatric dental visit if you haven't already. Most babies have their first tooth well before this point, so it's worth having an exam and X-rays to rule out any underlying causes. In many cases, delayed eruption has no significant cause, but it can also be associated with nutritional deficiencies or developmental factors that are worth identifying early. Schedule an appointment with our Dallas or Rockwall team, and we'll take a look.
Yes, it can be. If one or both parents experienced late teething, their child may as well. In many cases, delayed eruption with no other symptoms is simply a family trait and not a cause for concern. That said, some genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome and amelogenesis imperfecta, are also associated with delayed tooth eruption, so an evaluation is always worthwhile if you have questions.
Yes. Vitamin D deficiency in particular has been linked to delayed tooth eruption and development. If your child is behind on teeth and you're concerned about nutrition, it's worth discussing with your pediatrician as well as your dentist. A well-rounded diet and appropriate supplementation when needed can support healthy development.
Not necessarily, but there is a higher likelihood that children with delayed eruption of primary teeth will need orthodontic treatment later in childhood or adolescence. This is one reason regular pediatric dental visits matter — so we can monitor tooth development over time and identify any issues early, before they become more complex to treat.
Drooling, chewing on objects, and mild fussiness are classic signs that teeth are on the way. It can take several weeks from the time those symptoms appear for a tooth to actually break through the gum. If those symptoms are present but no tooth appears after a few weeks, a quick check-in with us can confirm whether the tooth is close to the surface or whether something else is going on.
The American Dental Association recommends that children have their first dentist appointment when they get their first tooth or at one year old — whichever comes first. Although many parents have postponed these first visits, we encourage you to schedule an appointment by 18 months if teeth haven't emerged by then. We'll perform a thorough exam and take X-rays during this appointment to diagnose any problems that may be beneath the surface.
Call 214-691-1172 today or contact us online to schedule an appointment at our Dallas, TX, or Rockwall, TX, office. We look forward to helping your child get started on the road to a lifetime of healthy teeth.
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