Patient's question:
My baby girl is now over 9 months old, but she still hasn't gotten her teeth. I'm very worried. I've asked the doctor at the hospital, and they said there's no problem. Every child's physical condition is different, so some get their teeth early while others get them later. They suggested we supplement some calcium.What kind of help do I need: At what age do babies get their teeth?
Doctor's answer:
When babies are born, although they have no teeth in their mouths, dental buds have already formed within their maxilla. At a certain time, teeth grow through the gum surface. The process of teeth emerging from the jawbone is medically called "tooth eruption," which is also commonly referred to as "teething." Tooth eruption follows a certain sequence and occurs at approximately the same time. For example, at 6 to 8 months of age, the lower central incisors begin to erupt, and by the age of 2 to 2.5 years, all 20 deciduous teeth should have fully erupted. Since each child's development varies, some may erupt earlier, while others may take longer. If no teeth have erupted by the age of one year, it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine the cause of the delay. Conditions such as rickets, severe malnutrition, or congenital skeletal developmental disorders can affect tooth calcification, leading to delayed eruption. The eruption sequence of deciduous teeth is shown in the table below:| Deciduous Tooth Name | Number | Eruption Age (Months) | Total Number of Teeth |
|----------------------------|--------|----------------------|----------------------|
| Lower Central Incisors | 2 | 5–10 | 2 |
| Upper Central Incisors | 4 | 6–10 | 4 |
| Lower Lateral Incisors | 2 | 6–14 | 8 |
| First Molars | 10–12 | 10–17 | 12 |
| Canines | 4 | 18–24 | 16 |
| Second Molars | 4 | 20–30 | 20 |