Question
My child is already one year old, but has not yet grown any teeth. Some people think this might be a sign of rickets. Is delayed teething really a symptom of rickets?
Answer
Generally, a baby’s milk teeth begin to emerge between 4 to 10 months after birth and are all erupted by about 2 and a half years of age. The timing and sequence of tooth eruption vary from child to child, but if the milk teeth have not emerged by one year old, it is considered delayed eruption. The timing of milk tooth eruption is influenced by various factors such as genetics, endocrine, and food characteristics. Although genetics is one factor that can lead to delayed tooth eruption, in clinical practice, rickets can also cause delayed eruption of milk teeth. It is recommended to go to the hospital for a blood alkaline phosphatase test. If there is indeed a deficiency, regular treatment should be sought.