Late Teether

My son is 14 months old with 12 teeth and my nephew is 13 months old with no teeth at all! My nephew is a perfectly healthy little boy on track developmentally in every way and his pediatrician is not concerned with it at all. I guess all kids just get their teeth at different times.

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Dont let those moms make you feel bad. Actually its a good thing to have a late teether its better in the long run, my dentist told me the same thing, my son was the same at about 14-15 mths he only had 4 teeth and then all of a sudden he got like 4 at once. Their mouths are still growing so its better the longer it takes for the teeth to come it the better they will be. Nothing to worry about.

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I'm really sorry about other parents comparing kids. Unfortunately, it probably won't stop with teething. There is nothing you can do about his teeth. You will not be able to do much about his height, when he can coordinate riding a bike, play a piano, or accomplish world peace. All you can do is help be the best him he can be.

Next time anyone makes a comment, take a deep breath and thank them for helping thicken your skin.

Hi J.! My daughter was 10 months old before she cut her first tooth, and the rest did slowly and finally come in! I was concerned about it, too. But, my dentist assured me that it was perfectly normal, and in fact, was better as it gave the child's jaw more time to mature to accomodate teeth. My cousin has a daughter just a few months older than Grace and she was a late bloomer for teeth, too. Now, both girls have a full mouth of healthy teeth!

My son and nephew are two weeks apart so imagine all of the comparing my sister and i do. We dont't even mean to, but when you have two kids that close in age it's hard. My son had a full set of teeth by 18 months and my nephew only had 3. His ped was not concerned at all and said all kids are different and they would come in (he is 23 months old now and has 7 teeth). Don't listen to everyone else. Your son is going to grow at his own pace. He may be more advanced than those other kids in other things. No big deal.

I wouldn't be concerned. My daughter was right at her first birthday when her first tooth finally, but barely appeared. Everyone told me that children that wait longer to get their teeth have stonger teeth...so there is a response to those who are comparing their children to yours. She is now 3 and has just finished up with her 2nd year molars.

My first and second did not get teeth until 11months of age. My second is almost 13 months and still only has her bottom two with no signs of the top ones! My first is not almost 3 years old and is just getting her two year molars. She would get several teeth at once, just "late" according to the "norms". (My sister and I were both late teethers, could be genetic??)

As my pediatrian told me today, "I've yet to see a child in kindergarten without teeth."

So, yep, late teethers are out there...glad to have your son in the club:)!!

You've received a lot of advice and just wanted to share my experience. (From what I recall, without getting out the baby books.) Both of my kids, now 6 and 9 were "late" in getting their teeth. My 9 year old daughter even more so...her first tooth "emerged" a week before she turned one. And the rest were very slow at coming in as well.

But, like you said...they are generally healthier. My 6 yr. son has yet to loose a tooth and my daughter did not loose hers until the end of 2nd grade, now going into 4th grade, has only lost 6. Not to do the comparison thing, but she has very healthy teeth (no cavities), compared to some of her friends who got their teeth early and have lost them and have had multiple cavities.

As hard as it may be on you right now, be ready for your child to be upset about it later. It was upsetting to my kids, especially in Kindergarten when many teachers have "charts" of who has lost a tooth, when they don't lose theirs. So, figure out your "comeback" to those who are comparing now and be ready to explain to your children. I used the opportunity to talk about their "baby years" ...they love hearing stories about themselves. I explained that everyone gets their teeth at different times and your first one didn't "pop out" until a week before your first birthday and showed her pictures. Then, explained that the dentist said it's actually healthier to keep their baby teeth longer too. Anyway, it seemed to help my kids.

Just keep very positive and matter of fact in your replies and don't let it get to you, knowing it's actually a good thing! Good luck.

My son was a late teether as well. I remember thinking they would never come out and I asked the pediatrician if they would just stay stuck in there and he chuckled and said that in all his years of experience he has never once seen a child whose teeth did not eventually come out. So no worries there, my son has all his teeth (he is 4 now) we've been to the dentist several times and each time the dentist says they look great.

I've heard that kids who do get their teeth early have weaker teeth, but I don't know how true that is. May want to research that and if it is true, the next time you get a comparing mother just mention that to them.

God Morning J., He is as normal as can be. He may hurt later on when they all start coming in at once though. ;)
Don't sweat the small stuff J. and either ignore comments or you could find a really great come back, maybe along the lines of "Yeah Ain't it Great don't have as many teeth to brush" or Hey he can't bite as hard either.

Not one child I have seen or met have done exactly as all the "Your baby" books say they should. They don't all sleep through the night at 6 wks, they do get colic, they all don't cut teeth at 4-6 months, they all aren't potty trained in 3 days either. Some take f-o-r-e-v-e-r!! And still have accidents. So let the comments & comparsions Slide off you J.. Your little guy is right where he is supposed to be by God's design.

Hum Some peoples Children are rude *laughing* (moms)
Best of God's blessings to you J.
K. Nana of 5

Good morning Brandy,

I have a daughter whom is now 5 years old, but she didn't get her first tooth until she was almost 15 months. The dentist always said the later they came in the healthier they would be. Now of course, she is asking us when she will lose her teeth because her friends are losing teeth now. The dentist told her that she will lose them later because they came in later. I understand perfectly, but she doesn't. She is ready for the tooth fairy.

I never worried about what other parents thought, because she still ate table food because she would not eat baby food any more. Plus every baby or child grows differently and does things at different times. His teeth will come in before you know it. Best wishes.

Jen

J.,
You are correct, the longer they wait to come in the healthier the teeth will be. I took my daughter to a dentist at 2 y/o because she only had one tooth. He said she was fine and be thankful the teeth were slow to come in. She is very petite and probably would have needed a lot more dental work if her teeth had come early. Be patient and thankful, like I was told, "I've never seen a kindergartner that didn't have a full head of teeth?".

Dear J.,
Don't worry about it. My kids were not only late teethers, but they all lost their teeth late also. All my boys had to have teeth pulled to get their braces, and that was in high school! Yes, their teeth are pretty healthy (except for needing braces, but that was a jaw issue for two of them).
Hope this helps.

I was told that the longer it took the more likely they would come in straight. The child's mouth has more room the older he gets. Sooo, tell those other bragging mothers that you are thankful they are taking so long, you would rather they be straight than early!!! :)

This is perfectly normal. My oldest didn't get her first tooth until she was about 10 months old and then had a break for a while. She poped most of them in all at once around 19 months. I had just had #2 so didn't notice the change until I looked at her one day and she had a mouth full of teeth. #2 got her first at 9 months and got her others around 16 months. Just tell those other moms you are glad he doesn't have them yet because you will not have as many dentist bills as they do.

Hi J., don't worry about it, actually my Mom is a Dentist, and the longer that the teeth stay in the gums the better! Your son will have stronger more healthy teeth (for the rest of his life)than his peers! But definitely start brushing what he has now so that when the other teeth start coming in, he is already used to the toothbrush.

Hi J., my daughter is 14 1/2 months and she has 2 top, 2 bottom, and is halfway through getting two more bottom teeth. Around her first birthday, I saw a 9 month old little boy at a friend's house who had a full mouth of teeth! I couldn't believe it! But, I think with everything else, each child is different. I wouldn't worry but ask your ped. if you're still concerned.

Just let it roll off. I get that too. My son is 8m and only has his two bottoms. I think it's cute (plus the bottom two are so crooked, I'm not sure I want to see the rest, lol). If something is wrong your ped will let you know. Otherwise, less teeth to brush for you!

Really, some people will compare in any way they can and if it's not about teeth it will be something else. At least you don't have to endure the 20 questions until they can find something their kid does better.

My daughter was a late teether and at 17 months she still only has three (just got the third this week) bottom teeth and four top teeth. The longer they take the healthier they tend to be, although I would chalk that up more to genetics than anything else. I've got no idea why parents and grandparents insist on acting like growing babies are some type of contest, especially when it comes to things like teeth!

Hang in there...I had a sproradic teether but by 24 months she had pretty much caught up. But now my problem is most of the other kids in her class have lost teeth and she hasn't. It seems like parents (and sometimes even the kids) have to make the comparisons...my daughter's teeth are strong and healthy, well rooted and beautiful. Hopefully your son's will be too!

Don't worry. You can't change God's timing. My oldest daughter got hers very early, my second was almost one before she had more than 1. Incidentally, my younger daughter has never had a cavity like my older daughter. Don't fall into the trap of comparing. Each child is different and you will drive yourself and your kid crazy with constant comparisons. Just love them and enjoy their differences and you will definitely both be better off. My youngest has not fit into any of the standard milestones. She talked late and walked early. She could do steps at 9 months but took forever to learn to read. But that's okay because she is wonderful.

I have twin boys who are 19 months old. One of them has his 4 front top and bottom teeth, and 4 jaw teeth. His teeth have been through for quite a while. The other only has 4 teeth on top, 2 on bottom (the other 2 are starting to come through the gums) and 2 top jaw teeth. For the longest time I wondered if he was only going to have 6 teeth. Don't worry about people comparing their kids to yours; because my boys are twins, everyone thinks they should do the exact same things at the exact same time and if they don't, something is wrong with them. Just try to let it roll off your shoulders.

First off, fend off the other parents by telling them that the later they get their teeth the healthier their teeth will be. (That should make them a little jealous) Then explain how well your child is doing at something else. My son had very little hair until he was two (that's when he got a first haircut & it wasn't much), but he spoke in full sentences by the time he was 18 months old & had a mouth full of teeth. The Dr.s explained it to me as they're body focuses on things at different times & if they are learning / changing alot in one area they won't be in another. Obviously, your child will get teeth & you have no control as to when. Really us mothers should not use our kids against the other - they're really not a competition LOL! Good luck hope it shuts them up!

J. --

I have a 14 month old daughter who only got her first tooth after she was 13 months old. Shortly thereafter, her second tooth came through; however, that is all she has. She will be 15 months old in a couple of weeks, and has no signs of any other teeth ready to come in.
I don't really worry about it. I asked her doctor at her 1 year check-up, and she was not concerned at all. She too said that everything she has heard/read says the longer they take to come in, the fewer problems they tend to have with their teeth. Since there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, I am just leaving it up to nature. As far as the other parents are concerned, don't worry about what they say or think. Every child is different and that does not make any one child better than any other. Be patient, they will eventually come in.
A.