Your baby’s first teeth are a huge milestone. It’s a sign that baby is getting ready for real foods as well, as a great look at a beautiful little smile. If you’re wondering what your little one’s teeth should look like–and when you can expect them to come in–there are some general guidelines to keep in mind.
When Do Teeth Usually Appear?
Baby’s first teeth usually show up at around an average of six months of age. It’s not surprising, however, for those first little teeth to start poking through as early as four months–and some babies are even born with teeth already poking through! Others, however, won’t get their teeth until around their first birthdays.
What If My Baby’s Teeth Show Up Late?
You track milestones carefully, making sure that your baby is getting all the important ones in on time. While you should certainly track crawling, rolling over, babbling, and other key milestones, there’s no need to panic if your little one’s teeth don’t show up as expected!
Late-arriving teeth are very common in infants, who won’t need them to chew food for a while anyway. In fact, teeth that are slow to poke through may be less likely to experience decay, since the enamel on baby teeth is thin, and hiding in the gums keeps them well-protected.
When Should I Get the Dentist Involved?
In general, you should schedule your baby’s first dental checkup around their first year of age. This important checkup can be scheduled even if your little one doesn’t have any teeth yet, giving your dentist a chance to lay any concerns to rest early. At this checkup, your dentist will also be able to identify any underlying problems–which are very uncommon–and set your mind to rest about your late teether.
Keeping track of your baby’s teeth as they come in is natural. Any time you have concerns about your baby’s teeth, contact us. We’ll schedule a checkup that will allow you to keep an eye on your little one’s development.