Toddler Has Few Teeth

Hi there S.,
You have nothing to worry about, both my children were extremely late in sprouting teeth as well... my daughter got her 1st tooth when she was 16 months! My son at 19 months!! I was worried the first time around but knew it would be okay with the second child. The only down fall to this is my daughter, now 5 1/2, has friends at school who are starting to loose their teeth (exciting big kid stuff along with special tooth fairy gifts),
and she literally just cut her last one 6 months ago or so! I lost my teeth extremely late (3rd grade or later) so I suspect she will do the same, after the majority of her friends have finished loosing theirs... Clearly this is not a major issue, but I was recently concerned she may not enjoy the magical feeling of the tooth fairy visiting due to the fact she will likely be old enough to know that it is not true... However, on the upside I have been told repeatedly this 'late teething' indicates a strong, healthy set of choppers!
In any event, I am thankful that late teeth are nothing serious and both my children are healthy in every other way!
Best of Luck, M.

My son got his teeth much later than other kids. He also didn't lose his first tooth until he was 8. His permanent teeth are fine.

He's 13 now, and hasn't hit puberty yet. He seems to be genetically programed to be a "late bloomer," but he's healthy, happy and smart, smart, smart. Don't worry!

Hi S.,
My nephew only had a couple teeth until he was 18 months old and then got all of them at once. This is frustrating to them because they want to eat everything but can't chew it. This is definitely late to have not gotten more teeth but it is nothing to worry about they will show up soon.

Hi S., love the name, i have a beautiful White cat named S.. Any way i think as long as his pediatrition doesn't seemed worried, you shouldn't worry, my first born had his
first 2 teeth at 3 months, and so many people wee telling me he was going to lose them cause he cut them so early, so of courseI got scared, this was my first baby so i didn't know, so i took him to pediatrition and he calmed my worries, by telling me he was not in danger of loosing his 2 teeth. So talked to his doctor and see whatnhe/she says. J.

I was wondering if anyone heard if slow teeth growing also can mean your child will grow tall!!???
This might sound completely confusing and I don't know where I heard that.
My husband and I are tall (5'11 and 6') and neither of us, according to our parents, had teeth before we where one year old. The same goes for our daughter. She is now 2 1/2 and still hasn't got any molars.
Since teeth are essentially the same as the bones in our body would that mean that slow growing teeth might mean slow growing bones??
Or is this just an old wifes tale? Just curious if anyone heard about anything like this?

My seventeen month daughter has eight teeth. 4 upper front, 3 lower front and one upper molar. The front came in when she was around nine months. And the molar has been coming in slowly the last 3 months. We saw the dentist last month and she said it is kinda late, but they will eventually all show up. My older daughter had all 20 of her teeth at eighteen months old.

Don't worry about it! I have three children all of which got their first tooth around 13 months and didn't get any more for a while. After talking to the dentist about it he said that longer the teeth stay in the gums, the better since they have less time to decay. There is also no set order in which teeth are supposed to come in. Just like everything else with babies, they do it at their own pace.

Totally normal, S.. My, almost 12 year old, didn't get his first tooth until he was 13 months old. I promise you, he now has ALL of his teeth. Infact, now the problem is that they aren't falling out! Be forewarned: the later they come in, often means, the later they fall out. Our orthodontist tells us that he is about a year behind in that category. We actually had to have five of them surgically removed. Stay sane, they'll all get there eventually.
J.

Hi S.:

I have two boys ages 11 & 8 and a 4 year old daughter. All 3 of them had their 1st baby tooth after the turning 1 year old. (Actually my oldest got his first tooth at almost 15 months and the other 2 did it at 12 & 13 months). I too was worried at first (especially wiht the first one, of course!) but my ped told me not to worry that anywhere between 6 months and 18 months is considered normal. Of course, the boys have lost their baby teeth a little later than their classmates, but not in a very noticeable way since kids from Kindergarten all the way through 3rd grade are known to have missing teeth here and there :) (Of course my daughter hasn't lost any teeth yet as she's still little...)

On a separate but related note, my kids have extremely good teeth - never had a cavity or any other dental problems and my dentist did tell me that sometimes teething a little later may give them an extra edge, as the tooth was inside longer and may have gotten more calcium...he says it's his personal opinion, but I like it and it makes sense.

Hope this helps you out a bit...Relax and enjoy your little one :)

My niece didn't get her first tooth until she was 14 months.
They say the longer it takes a child to get their teeth the longer they will have them and the healthier their adult teeth will be.
So unles you feel like something is wrong don't worry. Or take him to the doctor and have the doc check him out. Or call a childrens dentist and ask them what is normal.
Take care

he is not to young to go to the pedio dentist my son is 1 and has his 1st appt. next week. I would check with a professional on this.

No need to worry. I have a two year old and a four year old. Neither of them got their first tooth until their 1st b-day and the last of their teeth didn't fully come in until their 2nd b-day. I felt the same way that you do when I would look at kids that weren't even a year old and had nearly a full mouthful of teeth. Just be patient.

My grandaughter had just a few teeth for months and i was a little worried, but they started coming in slowly. She's 2 yrs old now and there are a few that haven't come in yet. The dentist told my daughter that each child is different in how soon their teeth come in. Some children have most of them by 6 mos. And some don't get them all until after 2 years, like my grandaughter, so unless your son is in pain or some other factor seems to be the cause, just watch and see,he'll be fine and probably start biting you and other kids when he gets to the terrible 2's. Shocking but true. :-)

Every child is different. Some children are born with teeth while others get them very late. The Dental Association recommends that children see a dentist for the first time when they are 1 year old. It's a simple check up to make sure everything is okay and I would recommend following through with that. My pediatrician and my personal dentist told me to wait until 4 years old, but I learned differently. Waiting till 4 is often too late for some children who end up having huge problems. If you live in Long Beach, I have several fabulous childrens dentist I can recommend. Just email if you'd like that information.

My 17 month old daughter started showing signs of teerthing early at 3 months but did not get her first too until about 6 months and by the time she turned 1 only had the lower 2 front teeth though her 2 top were breaking through. At 14 months she had both top and bottom and the dentist said it was normal and just to observe for any abnormalities (yellowing, darkening,teeth too close together etc). Unbeknownst to me by 16 months she had her top molars and just noticed she now has her bottom molars. As her bottom molars were breaking through, her bottom side 2 teeth(next to the 2 front)were also breaking through. I know how you feel. I thought it was abnormal to see nine month old babies with more teeth than my 14 month old especially since those babies were already munching on cheerios and mine had just started. Thogh I was informed that babies whose teeth come out later have stronger teeth. Now I don't know how scientifically researched proof there is to that but it did make me feel better. Now toddlers don't get their molars until much later and the fact that my daughter has her 4 now just reminds me that "every baby will develope at his/her own pace" and as long as it's considered withing the stage time frame then I wouldn't worry too much. Just be very patient because when the molars come through, there will be a lot of "biting" going on and it is not because the child wants to bit but because it feels better to do so. I found what worked well was cold strawberries to chew on and cold oranges(in pieces of course). Good Luck!

Hi S.,

No worries on this one. My mom works for a very good dentist and he (as wel as our ped) has assured me that my daughter is just fine, she too is a slow teether. She is 16 months and has 4 on top and 3 on the bottom. Well, make that 3 1/2, she is cutting one on the bottom as we speak as well as her molars.

I see babies younger than my daughter with more teeth as well, but I also see babies older than her who have less hair!

I agree with a previous post, chat with your ped if you are super concerned. Lord knows I pester my ped's nurses with questions! But I wouldn't be concerned. :)

Some kids will have 6 teeth at 8m, some not any at all till 18m, all is normal.

I have a 16 month old baby too and he has alot of teeth. my other two did not have half of what this one has, every kid is different don't worry

Absolutely it's normal! I worried too because my daughter didn't get her first teeth until she was almost 11 months, but the doctor assured me it's normal. He also said it's normal for them to not get any teeth for a few months and then start cutting them again. Be thankful your son gave you a few months reprieve before he started cutting teeth again!

My 14 month old is JUST starting to cut her first one. Don't worry!

Well, it is inevitable to compare mentally, you can't help yourself. Yes, it is normal, but if you're concerned, ask you pediatrician at your next visit. You'll feel better after speaking w/him or her.

I have three kids, the first two popped out teeth like every other day and had an entire mouthful by their first birthday! They are now 9 & 4 and have had no dental problems. My baby is almost three and at the age of one he had one tooth! Now he will be three in Sept and we are still waiting on his two year molars LOL! Such a change from his siblings, but it just goes to show that all kids like to do their own things and set their own pace. Good luck

This is normal. All the teeth don't come in at the same time. My daughter only had 2 teeth at 18 months. It was funny because they were the two center bottom teeth and when she smiled, they stuck up out of her mouth.

You are comparing. No good ever comes from comparing your child to other kids. I have four kids, and every one of them developed differently. They started talking at different times, they started walking at different times, their teeth came in at different times. When did your son start to walk? My ex husband didn't start to walk until he was 18 months old! He went on to become a nature guide who hiked over hill and dale all day long. If your son's pediatrician isn't worried, you shouldn't be. Relax and enjoy your sweet little guy!

Hi S.-

My daughter didn't get her first tooth until 12 months, and then at 14 months got 4 teeth all in one week! That was sooo not fun! Don't worry about, all kid's are different.

Yes, its totally normal. I was worried to0 because my daughter did not have any teeth at 13 months and finally one came through at 14 mos. Her doctor reassured me that it was totally normal and sometimes it could take up to 17 mos. for baby's to get their first set of teeth.

Hi S.,

WARNING: Using Adult Floride Toothpaste is Hazardous to Your Children's Health. If they ever ingest it, call the poison control center.

I know you are concerned and what ever you do, do not use Floride on you kiddo's teeth before the age of two. It has been discovered they will get stains and could interfer with enamel formation. Also, to avoid cavities cut out sugary drinks and snacks. Try to avoid a sugary night bottle. Instead of juice or milk, try a sugar-free flavored water.

If you are interested, my company makes non-floride toothpast for kids that is apple flavored and helps them get into the habit of brushing their teeth at a really young. It feels good as they are teething but you can inspire them early by letting them chew on the super soft kids toothbrushes we offer too. Now we do have kids floride toothpast with the flavor of wild berries once they are older then 2. So if you would like me to share more info with you, please contact me.

Good Luck ~ F. ###-###-####

S.,

It's actually a good thing that he has fewer teeth than normal. My son did the same thing, and the doctor told me that it's great! The less time that those baby teeth have to be exposed to milk or sugary juices, that may stay on his teeth, maybe from falling asleep with a bottle in his mouth, or what not... the better his current teeth and future teeth will be. Let those little teeth stay hidden, they will have less chances of decay, and they will be much healthier and stronger, and set him up for good dental health in the future. cold, wet washcloths are a great help when the molars are coming in, let him chew on it, just like a new puppy does when his teeth are coming in... yuo'll notice him chewing and pulling on the wash cloth while he bites down, it also helps push the toothe thru quicker when it's trying to break thru.. much better than sticking his hands in his mouth! and if you go to Henry's or sprouts, you can find the herbal teething tablets that work WONDERS!!!! MUCH better than the chemical stuff like anbesol... these teething tablets really help with the crankyness and the pain your little guy might be having... I wish I remembered the name of the teething tablets, but they are wonderful! ( I have 4 sons, and my oldest is 19, the youngest is 9 so it;s been a long time since teething tablets and cold wet washclothes.. but they were great tools, my mom shared with me!)

Take care,

T. B

Hi S.,

My son and two of his cousins were all very slow to get teeth and also very slow to lose them. All three kids were eventually found to be growth hormome deficient (runs on my hubby's side of the family).

Obviously, there were a lot of other signs and symptoms, and this is definitely a rare occurence, not a common one, but one to keep in mind if teething continues to be very slow and a full set of choppers hasn't developed by around age 4 or 5.

WRT tooth loss: my son had only lost 3 or 4 of his baby teeth by the middle of 6th grade, which is when we finally got him tested. After we started GH replacement therapy, his teeth started falling out very quickly -- he would notice a lose tooth, and it would fall out in less than a day!

S.,

My daughter is 15 months and has 8 teeth. Both of my kids were slow teethers. If you are concerned you can talk to your pediatrician and or a dentist. I would personally give it some time before taking him to the dentist. I took my son to the dentist at 2 1/2 because he couldn't sit for very long prior to that. It is uncommon that your son would be cutting a molar before the other front teeth, but it could happen. My daughter cut a tooth on top next to where her front tooth would have been. Then she cut the front tooth. It looked pretty silly at first. Here is a link to a teething chart, but of course all kids teeth at there own pace.

http://www.anbesol.com/teething/chart.asp

L.

Hi S.,
As a dental hygienist for over 24 years and a mom,
this is what is normal for your son. He may be behind other children in the tooth dept for always, but normal for
him. Don't worry...
Use a cold, washcloth to gnaw on if the teething is tough.
Everyone goes through it, we all have teeth, and you and your son will too.

Deb

dont worry at all... At 16 months my daughter only had one tooth, and it had just came out the month before. All kids teeth differently. It's actually nicer when they teeth later cause they tend to not suffer as much and they tend to all come in at once. Within 6 months she had all her teeth.

Hi S.,

Don't worry. Every kid has their own schedule. My daughter's first tooth came in at 9 mo. I'm sure your son is just fine.

V.

S.,
My three children didnt get their teeth until they were way older than other kids. I was told that when kids teeth come in late that is actually good. Their teeth will be stronger. Dont worry.

That's totally normal. Both my kids didn't get any teeth until 11 and 12 months, then their next two a few mos. later. So not to worry!

I have a niece who had a lot of teething issues & my sister used baby gel that you rub on their gums for the pain. She later found out that those gels can toughen babies gums and make it much harder for teeth to break through. My niece was well over 1yr by the time she even got her first tooth. Some babies are more susceptible to this toughening - if you have used one of these gels, that could be the issue. Eventually they will come in. I recommend Hyland's teething tablets. They dissolve immediately. Not once did any of mine even start to choke on them. You can put them directly on their tongue - or in their bottle etc... In any case, different babies are different and as long as his Dr., doesn't see anything wrong, everything is as it should be for your son. Good luck & God Bless!

Hi S.,
I had similar concerns with my son. He had two teeth on the bottom at 6 months old and the next teeth would not come in until one year later at 16 months. He had only two teeth for the longest time and it worried me, too. However, I think it was actually a good thing because it was easier for him and me to deal with teething pain, etc. At 16 months, they all came in pretty fast and soon he had caught up with all his friends. Hope this comforts you a bit!
Take care,
L.

Aloha, S.. My daughter did not cut her first tooth until she was 12 months old. She took after my side of the family. My brother, sister, and I were all late teethers. Unless your pediatrician is worried, don't be. This also means that your son will start to lose his baby teeth later then the other kids. I see that as a good thing. You have more time for your son to learn good dental hygeine and make mistakes on his baby teeth, not his permanent teeth :) As for cutting molars, it's unusual, but possible. My 15 month old niece has four teeth in front and one of her back molars has just cut through the gum.