Doctor, should I be worried if my baby's teeth have not come out even though he/she is 8 months old?
Baby teeth erupt from 6 months of age and usually take 2 and a half to 3 years to erupt all 20 primary teeth, 10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw. The first teeth to erupt in the oral cavity are the lower central incisors, followed by maxillary central incisors, lower lateral incisors, upper lateral incisors, lower first molars, upper first molars, lower and upper canines, and then finally lower and upper second molars.
| LOWER TEETH | ERUPT | SHED |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisor | 6 - 10 months | 6 - 7 years |
| Lateral incisor | 10 - 16 months | 7 - 8 years |
| Canine | 17 - 23 months | 9 - 12 years |
| First molar | 14 - 18 months | 9 - 11 years |
| Second molar | 23 - 31 months | 10 - 12 years |
| UPPER TEETH | ERUPT | SHED |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisor | 8 - 12 months | 6 - 7 years |
| Lateral incisor | 9 - 13 months | 7 - 8 years |
| Canine | 16 - 22 months | 10 - 12 years |
| First molar | 13 - 19 months | 9 - 11 years |
| Second molar | 25 - 33 months | 10 - 12 years |
The above-mentioned are the sequence of eruption of primary teeth and a minor delay should not be worried about.
MedBound Times connected to Dr. Unnati Bhudrani to ask her insights on the delayed eruption of teeth.
Earlier according to Logan Kronfeld's chronology of primary teeth guidelines the tooth erupts within the first 6 months of birth but now according to the new guidelines, it is said that the first tooth erupts by 8 months and this is especially after Covid-19. So 8 - 10 months is considered normal and after 10 months probably delayed.Dr. Unnati Bhudrani, BDS, MDS Pediatric Dentist
When should I be worried about, if teeth do not appear?
A delayed tooth eruption is not always a cause for concern but, sometimes it can indicate a medical condition or future dental problem. If your baby has no teeth till 12 months of age then you should pay a visit to your dentist. Causes of delayed tooth eruption can be:
Genetics: If there is a family history of delayed eruption then your child may be prone to it. (2)
Nutritional deficiencies: Proper nutrition during pregnancy and childhood is essential for growth, any kind of nutritional deficiencies can lead to delayed tooth eruption. (2)
Developmental disorders: Developmental disorders such as hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, and others have an effect on the oral cavity. Hypothyroidism can lead to a shortage of thyroid hormones, which can lead to delayed eruption. (3)
Premature birth or low birth weight: Premature birth or low birth weight can lead to delayed tooth eruption.
Other factors: Any infection in the oral cavity can cause delayed tooth eruption.
References:
Better Health Channel. "Teeth Development in Children." Better Health Channel. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/teeth-development-in-children.
Healthline. "When to Worry About Baby Teeth Not Coming In." Healthline. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/when-to-worry-about-baby-teeth-not-coming-in.
Senthilkumar, P. "5 Factors Behind Delayed Teeth Eruption." Surya Dental Care. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.suryadentalcare.com/possible-causes-of-delayed-teeth-eruption/.
By Anam Khan