Baby Teeth
Question
My child has no teeth, he is 9 months old. Is there a problem that I should get checked out? I worry about this because he has been so early at all the other developmental stages.
Dana Martin - Indiana
Dr. Greene's Answer
For an infant, the mouth is an exquisitely sensitive portal connecting the world around him to his developing mind and body. He uses his mouth to meet his mother, to sate his constant hunger, to comfort himself between feedings, and to explore objects in the widening world around him. When hard teeth begin protruding into this soft, sensitive orifice, it is a major event in the life of an infant.
Many parents worry about the timing of the appearance of their children’s teeth. While the average time for the appearance of the first teeth is between five and seven months of age, there is a wide normal variation of timing. The teeth might come in as early as one month of age, or they might wait until a child is almost one-and-a-half-years old. Anywhere in this range can be normal.
Generally lower teeth come in before upper teeth, and generally girls’ teeth erupt earlier than those of boys (much like with everything else). Delayed eruption of all teeth may be the result of a nutritional problem, such as rickets, or a systemic condition, such as hypopituitarism or hypothyroidism.
Natal teeth or teeth present at birth are found in about one out of two thousand newborn infants. These are often extra teeth, but this should be confirmed radiographically before any attempt is made to remove them. Natal teeth may cause pain to the infant, poor feeding, and, if the baby is nursing, maternal discomfort. Natal teeth may also cause damage or even amputation of the tip of the newborn’s tongue due to strong sucking behavior. Early appearance of all teeth may indicate a hormonal problem such as hyperthyroidism.
The following tables outline the most common ranges for teeth to erupt and to shed:
Eruption of Primary or Deciduous Teeth
| Upper | Lower | |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 6-8 months | 5-7 months |
| Lateral incisors | 8-11 months | 7-10 months |
| Cuspids (canines) | 16-20 months | 16-20 months |
| First molars | 10-16 months | 10-16 months |
| Second molars | 20-30 months | 20-30 months |
Shedding of Primary or Deciduous Teeth
| Upper | Lower | |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 7-8 years | 6-7 years |
| Lateral incisors | 8-9 years | 7-8 years |
| Cuspids (canines) | 11-12 years | 9-11 years |
| First molars | 10-11 years | 10-12 years |
| Second molars | 10-12 years | 11-13 years |
Eruption of Permanent Teeth
| Upper | Lower | |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 7-8 years | 6-7 years |
| Lateral incisors | 8-9 years | 7-8 years |
| Cuspids (canines) | 11-12 years | 9-11 years |
| First premolars (bicuspids) | 10-11 years | 10-12-years |
| Second premolars (bicuspids) | 10-12 years | 11-13 years |
| First molars | 6-7 years | 6-7 years |
| Second molars | 12-13 years | 12-13 years |
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | 17-22 years | 17-22 years |
(Adapted from chart prepared by PK Losch, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, from Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics.)
If a permanent tooth becomes visible before the primary tooth above it has fallen out, generally the primary tooth should be extracted.
I hope that gives you enough to chew on!
Alan Greene MD
Our goal is to improve children's health by inspiring parents to become knowledgable partners who can work with their children's physicians in new and rich ways.
Thanks doctor
Hi, my child at 6mths is trying to grow the upper teeth first , I don’t know if it is normal
My Daughter is 18 Month Old but not come teeth till today
My son is 13 months he has not get teeth. Is there any problem or it will come lately.
thanks Doctor , i have read that if a baby is born with natal teeth and i clean them well regularly. and i check to see if they are firm in the gum.
I don’t need them removed, right????
Hi, thanks for writing in!
Dr. Greene writes above, “Natal teeth or teeth present at birth are found in about one out of two thousand newborn infants. These are often extra teeth, but this should be confirmed radiographically before any attempt is made to remove them. Natal teeth may cause pain to the infant, poor feeding, and, if the baby is nursing, maternal discomfort. Natal teeth may also cause damage or even amputation of the tip of the newborn’s tongue due to strong sucking behavior. Early appearance of all teeth may indicate a hormonal problem such as hyperthyroidism.”
Hope that helps!
Alexandra (caring helper at DrGreene.com, not a doctor)
My daughter is 22 months old and she only has 4 teeth’s,2 on top and 2 in bottom that came just few months back and again its stopped I don’t see anything sprouting. She loves to eat but I am really worried why her teeth’s are not coming out.
My 5 year old daughter has strange looking baby teeth. Does anyone know the cause?
Pls help!!! My daughter is 10 mos old and has her bottom
Front and just got the top front tooth but I just realized one of the top is soft and I’m freaking out can someone pls let me know what this is and Is there something I did wrong ? I brush her teeth already bc I’m trying to develop good habits with her