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Expert Q&A
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| By iParenting Staff iParenting Staff Experts | ||
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My 16-month-old daughter just got her first two teeth two months ago -- her top two front teeth -- and her doctor says that it's perfectly normal. She has no problem eating normal food and seems to mush it well enough with her gums, but shouldn't she have many more teeth than she actually does?
Don't be overly concerned. Although 6 months is the average age for the first primary tooth to erupt into the mouth, it may normally vary up to a year. This later pattern may be normal for your child, and permanent teeth may appear somewhat later as well. Some infants are actually born with (natal) teeth and should be left to develop normal boney support.Other children may be 12 to 14 months before that first tooth appears.
At any rate, you should visit your friendly pediatric dentist by the first birthday, for evaluation, to rule out disorders with missing teeth (eg,ectodermal dysplasia),to institute preventive care and to allow your little one to become accustomed to the surroundings.The early infant dental visits set the stage for years of healthy smiles!