As a mom, I know how anxiously we await those first tooth buds to pop through our babies’ swollen pink gums. When those pearly whites take their sweet time making an appearance, it’s completely normal to feel concerned. But here’s some comforting news – later teething comes with real benefits for your little one’s development and future dental health!
In this blog post, I will tell you 8 Benefits of Late Teething in Babies! I’ll also dish on what late teething means, reasons some babies teethe on the later side when to call the pediatrician, remedies for relief, and answers to other common questions parents have.
By the end, you’ll feel at ease about those toothless grins and understand why late teethers experience an easier time getting those smiles ready for tiny baby corn nibbles. Let’s start this guide to slower-paced teething with the basics…
So take a deep breath and remember – those pearly whites are coming! And when they do decide to erupt, chances are excellent they’ll come in healthier and more durable thanks to the extra time your kiddo’s teeth took incubating below the gums.
Contents
What is the Late Teething in Babies?
Late teething refers to when a baby’s first tooth erupts after the typical age range of 6 to 12 months. Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, while some sprout pearly whites as early as 3 months. But others experience delayed teething, with the first tooth making its debut closer to a baby’s first birthday or even later.
While parents often eagerly await that very first tooth, babies are on their developmental timeline when it comes to teething. Every child matures differently, so a late teether is still considered within the realm of normal. There is no set cutoff for what constitutes true delayed teething.
Once babies pass their first birthday with no teeth, some dental associations recommend parents consult their pediatrician. However, many late teething babies don’t get concerned until age 2 or older. Either way, the arrival of those first pearly whites after a year simply requires monitoring, not intervention
What are the Reasons for Teething Late in Babies?
There are a few common reasons why some babies get late teething:
1. Genetics
If parents or siblings were late teethers themselves, chances are high babies will follow suit. Delayed teething tends to run in families. The hormones that control dental development unfold on their biological timeline, which is inherited.
2. Low Birth Weight
Babies born prematurely or undersized often experience delayed teething. Their tooth buds simply didn’t get enough time in utero to fully form before birth.
3. Nutritional Deficits
Ensuring adequate and balanced nutrition provides the building blocks for baby teeth to mineralize and erupt. Deficiencies of key nutrients like calcium, phosphates, and vitamins D, A, C, and K disrupt this process.
4. Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions intrinsically affect development enough to hamper teething. These include congenital hypothyroidism, Down Syndrome, cleft lip/palate, and other genetic conditions. The treatments involved in managing these conditions can also delay teething.
In the absence of these factors, late teething occurs due to natural variability in developmental rates among infants. Every child follows a unique growth timeline, so later teething is only a variation of normal for some babies!
Top 8 Benefits of Late Teething
Here are the top 8 Benefits of Late Teething in babies :
1. Stronger Tooth Enamel and Roots
The extra time teeth spend developing under the gums allows for the enamel and roots to fully mature and harden. Later erupting teeth tend to be more durable and resistant to cracks and decay.
2. Healthier Teeth Requiring Less Dental Work
The added durability means late teether’s teeth hold up better to daily wear-and-tear, needing less restorative work like fillings over time.
3. Lower Risk of Tooth Decay and Infant Cavities
Delayed teething allows parents to establish better oral hygiene regimens before teeth erupt. This helps protect baby teeth from decay-causing bacteria.
4. Less Pain and Fussiness During Teething
Late teether’s gums have time to toughen up and acclimate to sensations before teething. Many parents report decreased fussiness and discomfort when teeth finally do erupt.
5. Parents Can Practice Better Dental Hygiene
By the time teeth arrive for late teethers, parents have education and routines in place centered around caring for baby teeth. This further prevents decay and promotes oral health.
6. More Time for Jaws to Develop
The delayed emergence of teeth enables infants’ jaws to grow to accommodate teeth better. This can reduce future need for spacers and dental devices.
7. Delayed Need for Orthodontic Work
Well-aligned jaw growth combined with thicker enamel also minimizes risks for overcrowding, reducing future need for interventions like braces.
8. Longer Enjoyment of Toothless Baby Smiles
Lastly, late teething lengthens that precious period of cute, gummy grins. Parents agree there’s nothing sweeter than a toothless smile!
Baby’s Teeth Coming In Late Causes, Benefits, Treatment, Home Remedies
Can I Need Treatment For Late Teething in Babies?
Late teething alone does not warrant any treatment or medical intervention. Since delayed emergence of that first tooth is considered a normal variation in babies, the “watch and wait” approach is recommended.
Those teeth buds housed below the gums continue developing on schedule. Even if erupting later than average, rest assured every delicate tooth is integrating into the jaw bone right on time according to your baby’s inner clock! So take delight in those adorable, gummy grins a bit longer knowing pearly whites are still hard at work under the surface.
If teething delays occur alongside other developmental delays or medical issues, consult your pediatrician for a more thorough evaluation. Isolated late teething does not indicate problems, but accompanied delays may warrant treatments targeting root causes.
Some babies may benefit from physical or nutritional therapies to improve the foundation for their growth and development overall.
When to Consult a Doctor?
While delayed teething on its own is no cause for concern, there are a few situations where checking in with your pediatrician would be prudent:
No teeth by 12-14 months
It can be reasonable to adopt a “wait and see” approach for late teethers up to 1 year old. But if your baby reaches their first birthday with no signs of teeth, speak to their doctor to discuss options to encourage eruption or identify any underlying issues.
No teeth by 18-24 months
Most dental organizations consider 18 months the absolute cutoff for the first tooth to erupt without warranting further evaluation. If your baby passes age two with no teeth present, a trip to the pediatric dentist is definitely to investigate possible underlying health conditions inhibiting eruption.
Accompanied by other red flags
Consult your pediatrician promptly if your baby shows no interest in feeding, chewing, or biting by 1 year 1-year-old alongside a few signs of eruption. Slowed weight gain, unusual crankiness, or other developmental lags like sitting, crawling, or grasping also deserve medical attention to rule out illness and treat any nutritional deficits impeding maturation.
Identifying and addressing any problems early maximizes chances for your late teether to simply be on the lower end of normal. If no issues surface, you can relax knowing teeth will come when your kiddo is ready!
Checking in with experts simply helps protect your baby against preventable problems that could delay eruption unnecessarily.
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Home Remedies For Late Teething
Here are some soothing, natural home remedies to help relieve gum discomfort for late teethers while awaiting their first pearly whites:
Massage Swollen Gums – Rub clean fingers or a cold wet washcloth on tender gums to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. Go in small circles for the most relief.
Chilled Teething Toys – Keep an assortment of teething toys made of non-toxic materials in the refrigerator to offer cooling sensations against aching gum lines.
Cold Foods – Sucking on chilled (not frozen) fruits like bananas or apples or foods like yogurt helps numb discomfort. The extra nutrients also fuel development.
Wet Washcloths – Dampen a clean washcloth, wring out excess water, and refrigerate for up to an hour before giving it to the baby to chew for temporary pain relief. Re-chill as needed.
Natural Oils – Gently rub diluted clove, chamomile, or lavender oil on the outer gum area for their anti-inflammatory properties. Never apply directly to gums due to safety concerns.
Amber Teething Necklaces – The succinic acid in amber is thought to reduce teething inflammation when worn against the skin. Supervise use and watch for safety hazards with necklaces.
With a variety of natural, soothing remedies in your parenting toolkit, you can help make teething more comfortable for your late teether up until those first pearly whites finally erupt!
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Related FAQs of Late Teething in Babies
What is the ideal age for a baby to get teeth?
The average age for the first tooth to erupt is around 6-8 months, but any time between 4-12 months falls within the normal range. Every baby develops on their schedule, so there is truly no “ideal” teething age.
Is it better for babies to have teeth later?
Later emerging teeth are often healthier because they have more time to mineralize and develop below the gums. Later teethers may also have less teething-related fussiness. So yes, slower teething comes with definite advantages!
What if my baby is 8 months old and still has no teeth?
It’s quite common and normal for babies to have no teeth by 8 months. As long as your baby is meeting other milestones and growing well, simple monitoring is recommended up until 12-14 months if no teeth erupt. After that, see your pediatrician to discuss options.
Do autistic babies get teeth early?
Emerging research shows autistic children exhibit delayed teething on average. More studies are exploring connections between developmental disorders and teething patterns. For now, strict causation remains unknown.
Will late teething delay my baby’s speech abilities?
While early teethers explore sound and texture with new teeth earlier, babies engage in babbling and vocal play well before getting teeth. Late eruption does not directly inhibit normal speech development timelines.
Conclusion Benefits of Late Teething
In closing, later teething is a variation of normal seen in a significant portion of babies. While the wait for those first pearly whites to pop through tender gums can feel long, rest assured As we said, there are many benefits of late teething.
Delayed teething allows extra time for the foundations of babies’ smiles to fully mature and mineralize below the surface. Later emerging teeth are harder, healthier, and more resistant to issues like crowding and decay down the road. As the adage goes – good things come to those who wait!
Understanding the genetic and developmental factors that contribute to later teethers also takes the pressure off parents. Rely on safe, natural home remedies like cold treats and gum massages to ease the discomforts leading up to eruption day. Then relax knowing there’s no set schedule for these milestones.
Soon enough you’ll spot that very first tooth bud slicing through inflamed gums! Savor the adorable toothless grins a bit longer knowing pearly whites are brewing. When they finally erupt, chances are that first tooth will come in stronger than ever thanks to its extended stay under the surface!
Please note that this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and treatment options.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/teething/baby-teething-symptoms/
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002045.htm
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