Question
The baby is nine months old and still hasn’t grown any milk teeth. They are primarily fed on breast milk with some formula as a supplement. They have been taking calcium powder since birth. During health checks, both weight and height are normal, and the overall health condition is good. However, the milk teeth haven’t emerged yet, and the reason is unknown. I hope experts can provide guidance.
Answer
The timing of milk tooth eruption in infants varies from early to late, generally starting between four to twelve months of age. Most babies begin to grow teeth after six months. Milk teeth usually emerge in pairs, starting with the lower central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors, then the lateral incisors, and then the canines, with the molars emerging last. Typically, all 20 milk teeth will be fully grown by the age of three. The timing of the first tooth’s emergence varies from one child to another, and most babies growing teeth between four to twelve months are considered normal. If a baby hasn’t grown any teeth by one year old, as long as other developments are normal, there is no need to worry excessively. Only in very few cases is the delayed eruption due to metabolic disorders, which not only shows up in the teeth but also in other aspects. The order of milk tooth eruption is related to factors such as genetics, calcium levels in the body, and whether there are any missing milk teeth.