Behind Schedule: When to Worry About Baby Teeth Coming in Late & When to Give it Time

TL;DR:

Delayed tooth eruption is often a normal part of development rather than a sign that something is wrong, with genetics, premature birth, nutrition, and individual growth patterns all potentially affecting when that first tooth appears.

Most babies begin teething around 6–10 months, but some healthy babies simply need more time.

Other key points include:

• Late teething often runs in families, making genetics an important factor.
• Premature birth and low birth weight may shift the expected eruption timeline.
• Nutrition and overall development can influence how and when teeth emerge.
• No teeth at 10–12 months isn’t necessarily concerning, but it’s worth mentioning at your child’s routine visit.
• No teeth by around 18 months is a good reason to schedule an evaluation with a pediatric dentist.

As a new parent, the first year often seems jam packed with milestones to watch out for…and something else to be concerned about.

From the first smile to the first word, and, of course, the first tooth, there’s a lot to look forward to…and a lot to stress about! So, what happens when that tiny tooth doesn’t arrive when expected?

It’s easy to start wondering whether your baby is falling behind developmentally, but in most cases, that’s not true.

The process of tooth eruption, the official term for teeth “coming in” isn’t an exact science. Some babies flash their first pearly white early, while others continue to “gum it” for quite a while longer.

So, how late is too late? What’s considered normal? When should you be concerned? Below, we attempt to share when baby teeth not coming in is a-okay versus when it deserves a closer look from your child’s pediatric dentist.

When Do Baby Teeth Normally Come In?

When it comes to understanding atypical development and delayed tooth eruption, it’s important to first understand what normal development and tooth eruption typically looks like.

Primary teeth (AKA baby teeth) develop beneath the gums long before you see any flashes of white, which is why your baby starts to get cranky during the period called “teething”. Underneath the surface of the gums, during this period of time, primary teeth are gradually moving toward the surface and getting ready to break through the gums.

For most babies, teething begins around 6–10 months of age. As we explain in our guide to the stages of teeth development, the two bottom front teeth are usually among the first to appear. For most typically developing babies, teeth continue to gradually emerge until all 20 primary teeth appear. This usually happens around age 3.

But remember…these ages are helpful guidelines—not deadlines. So try not to compare your baby’s development with another child’s, as everyone is different! And remember also, just because you don’t see something happening above the surface of the gums, it doesn’t mean that your baby’s teeth aren’t’ developing below he gums!

Why Are My Baby’s Teeth Coming in Late?

If your little one’s baby teeth aren’t coming in according to typical developmental timelines, there could be various reasons. Some of the most common include the following.

1. Genetics & Individual Development

Genetics is one of the first factors to consider with late teething in babies. In fact, genes influence many aspects of growth and development, not just tooth formation and eruption.

Pro Tip: If able, ask your parents when you got your first tooth. Sometimes, when it comes to baby teeth coming in late, it’s a case of like mom or dad, like child!

2. Premature Birth & Low Birth Weight

Babies who were born prematurely or at a low birth weight may experience differences in developmental timing, including when their first teeth appear.

Healthcare professionals may consider a premature baby’s corrected age when assessing early developmental milestones. If your little one arrived early, tell your pediatric dentist so their birth history can be considered when evaluating their dental development.

3. Nutrition & The Mouth-Body Connection

For there to be healthy teeth, your little one needs a healthy foundation.

Calcium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin D, and adequate overall nutrition all contribute to normal tooth and bone development. Significant nutritional deficiencies can sometimes affect growth and development, including tooth eruption

That being said, it’s important to note that baby teeth not coming in doesn’t automatically mean your baby has a nutritional deficiency.

Parents should avoid the temptation to give their little one vitamins, minerals, or other supplements specifically to speed up teething unless recommended by an appropriate healthcare professional.

This is also an example of the mouth-body connection. Our very own Dr. Kami Hoss discusses in If Your Mouth Could Talk. Your child’s mouth doesn’t develop independently from the rest of their body. Nutrition, growth, oral health, the oral microbiome, and overall wellness are all interconnected.

4. Oral Habits & Other Developmental Factors

Can thumb-sucking or pacifiers prevent baby teeth from coming in when expected?

In most cases, no; these habits aren’t primary cause of delayed first-tooth eruption. Sometimes, though, prolonged thumb-sucking and pacifier use can affect tooth positioning and development of the palate.

Less commonly, a tooth may be positioned differently beneath the gums or encounter another local obstacle to eruption. Certain genetic, endocrine, metabolic, or developmental conditions may also affect dental development.

These causes are far less common than normal developmental variation, but they’re one reason a pediatric dentist may recommend a closer look when tooth eruption is significantly delayed.

When Should I Be Concerned About My Baby’s Teeth Not Coming In?

Still wondering when to worry about baby teeth not coming in? It may help to look at a few general milestones.

• Around 6–10 months: This is when many babies begin getting their first teeth, but there is plenty of normal variation.
• At 10–12 months with no teeth: Don’t panic. Some healthy babies simply get their first tooth later. Mention it during your child’s routine pediatric or dental visit.
• At 18 months with no teeth: Schedule an evaluation with a pediatric dentist to make sure the teeth and surrounding oral structures are developing as expected.

In other words, if your baby is 18 months old with no teeth, that’s a good time to schedule an appointment. You may also want to seek professional guidance sooner if delayed eruption occurs alongside other concerns involving feeding, growth, bone development, or alongside other developmental milestones.

A pediatric dentist can examine your child’s gums, jaws, oral development, and health history and recommend appropriate action, if necessary.

Importantly, you don’t have to wait for teeth to appear before establishing dental care. In fact, we recommend you follow the “1-4-7 rule”:

• Start with a child’s first pediatric dental visit no later than age 1. An early visit gives the dental team an opportunity to monitor development while giving parents personalized guidance about teething, nutrition, oral hygiene, thumb-sucking, pacifiers, and other early oral-health concerns.
• Address oral habits like thumb sucking or nail biting by age 4
• Have your child evaluated by an orthodontist by no later than age 7

Looking for products to help your teething baby get quick relief? Explore SuperMouth systems for teething infants to 24-month-olds.

Have Questions? Schedule an Appointment with The Super Dentists Today!

As you now probably realize, most cases of baby teeth coming in late are simply part of a child’s unique developmental timeline.

If your baby is otherwise growing and developing normally, those tiny teeth might just need a little more time to show up. (Sometimes, good things are worth waiting for!)

But here’s the thing…you don’t have to guess, either.

If your child has no teeth by around 18 months—or you’re concerned at any point before then for any reason—a pediatric dentist can check their development and give you answers specific to your unique situation.

At The Super Dentists, we’re here to help you feel confident about every stage of your child’s growing smile. Schedule an appointment for your child at The Super Dentists now!