Question
A parent noticed that their four-month-old baby already has eight teeth, but recently found that these teeth seem shorter and is worried about whether it is a sign of poor tooth development. The parent asks if someone can provide a solution.
Answer
Children are born without teeth in their mouths, with the lower incisors in the jaw beginning to emerge around six months of age, and all milk teeth are fully erupted by about two and a half years old. Within the first year after birth (1.5 to 11 months), the enamel mineralization of all milk teeth is completed; within the first two years after birth (6 to 24 months), all milk teeth emerge. Therefore, if a child has systemic or regional disorders within the first year after birth, it may affect the development of the enamel of the milk teeth, leading to tooth development defects, and increase the risk of dental caries. The timing of tooth eruption varies significantly among individuals. This is very important because individual differences exist; some children’s teeth erupt earlier, while others erupt later. As long as it falls within the range of individual differences, it is considered normal.