Question
My baby is 21 months old and has only two teeth. What should I do?
Answer
My baby is 21 months old and has only two teeth, and a hospital check-up revealed a mild calcium deficiency. You mentioned that your baby has been experiencing poor sleep and decreased appetite recently. Could this be related to the calcium deficiency? Here’s how you should handle the situation. Firstly, it’s important to note that the development of teeth can be divided into three stages: growth, calcification, and eruption. At six months old, the baby’s teeth are only in the erupting stage, and this complex process is not found in other organs of the body. A late eruption of teeth could be a sign of calcium deficiency, so we should actively supplement calcium. For your baby, having only two teeth at this point is within the normal range. The number of teeth may decrease within the first three months, so there’s no need to be overly concerned. Additionally, apart from calcium supplementation, your baby can consume more high-calcium foods such as soy products, dairy products, and bone broth, and it’s important to get plenty of sunlight, which aids in calcium absorption. Finally, it’s recommended to reduce the intake of monosodium glutamate (MSG), as it can affect calcium absorption. I hope this information helps you.