5 Possible Reasons Your Toddler’s Teeth Are Not Coming In
Every new parent knows to expect their child’s first teeth. So if it doesn’t happen, it’s normal to start wondering whether something’s wrong. And parents of children age six, eight, or ten years old wonder the same about their child’s adult teeth.
While there are a number of reasons why this could happen, delayed tooth eruption should not be a major concern in most cases. So if you’re wondering when to worry about baby teeth not coming in, the answer is no.
It’s okay if your toddler’s teeth aren’t coming in. The amount of time it takes for permanent teeth to erupt in kids varies greatly. In some cases, they may actually be present as baby teeth fall out, while in some cases, they may take months to come in.
If no teeth erupt at all, it could be an indication of more advanced problems that may require the attention of your family dentist. However, before you start worrying about when baby teeth aren’t coming in, here are some reasons why:
1. Not Enough Space for them to Grow Yet
This is perhaps the most common reason as to why your toddler’s teeth are not coming in as expected. When primary teeth have fallen out but were smaller than the adult teeth that are trying to grow, there is a high chance that there is not sufficient space for the new teeth to erupt. Most kids have spaces between their baby teeth, which allows for the unhindered growth of permanent teeth.
However, some kids may not have those natural spaces to allow the growth of adult teeth. If this is your case, visiting a pediatric dentist or orthodontist is a good trip to make. They’ll be able to help you judge whether your child’s teeth just need more time, or if it might be necessary to have their baby teeth removed to give room for their permanent teeth to grow.
If your toddler’s teeth are not coming in, braces can also be used to create more space between baby teeth. If such solutions don’t result in the eruption of permanent teeth, your pediatric dentist may recommend doing a children’s dental X-ray so as to identify any issues that may not be detectable during a visual examination to help you worry less about when their baby teeth will come in.
2. It Could Be Genetic
If your child’s permanent teeth aren’t coming in, it could be due to genetics. In fact, dental experts note that there’s an 80% likelihood that the characteristics of your teeth development in early childhood will likely be experienced in your children.
Still not convinced it’s okay your toddler’s teeth are not coming in? If you ended up needing dental braces to create sufficient space for your adult teeth to grow, your kids will likely need them too. You may not be aware of your genetic history, but you can always ask your parents or people who knew you in childhood.
When it comes to dealing with genetic tooth development problems, there is nothing much you can do about them other than being patient. If it’s an issue that causes great worry about when your baby’s teeth will come in you and your spouse, then you should see a doctor.
A toddler’s teeth not coming in may be delayed or inconsistent in kids with certain developmental issues, like genetic disorders and particularly Down syndrome, as well as in kids with dental anomalies due to hereditary, traumatic, systemic, or local factors.
3. Permanent Teeth Could Be Growing In the Wrong Way
Another reason why your child’s teeth are not erupting could be due to adult teeth growing in the wrong direction. This is one of the major reasons for permanent tooth development delays. When a permanent tooth fails to erupt where a baby tooth was, there’s a chance that your kid will have problems. You’ve may have heard about cases where permanent teeth grow behind baby teeth. It sounds odd, but up to 1 in every 10 kids whose toddler teeth are not coming in ends up with this dental problem.
It’s important to understand that this only affects one or two teeth, usually the top or bottom incisors. In other cases, a tooth may not grow in a straight way, causing great concern for parents. Luckily, this dental problem can be fixed to ensure permanent teeth get back to the correct path of eruption.
If removing a baby tooth doesn’t provide an answer for when to worry about baby teeth coming in, consulting an orthodontic expert for treatment may help provide a solution.
4. It Could Be Gender-Related
There is a huge difference in the general development of both girls and boys, and this can apply when a toddler’s teeth are not coming in too. Just as girls reach puberty earlier than boys, they also tend to develop permanent teeth a bit earlier than boys do. In fact, studies have shown that girls start losing their baby teeth even six months earlier than boys. While it’s the norm for parents to compare their kids’ development, gender may be the issue in your situation.
5. Nutrition Plays a Big Role
The diet they have may be the issue if your toddler’s teeth are not coming in. To ensure correct development, make sure your children get enough nutritional calcium and other important minerals that will keep their teeth strong enough to push through the gums.
Kids at a young age can be picky eaters, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect nutritional value. Avoid sugar-rich snacks and drinks and opt for a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and protein.
Your kid developing their first permanent tooth may put a smile on your face, but you’ll need to take necessary dental care precautions to ensure they take good care of their teeth. For instance, you can keep your child’s new adult teeth in their best shape through dental sealants. These will help keep bacteria from getting stuck in tooth pits and fissures, preventing tooth decay.
Consult Your Pediatric Dentist
If you’re still worried about your toddler’s teeth not coming in, there could also be other reasons like the height and weight of your child, impacted teeth, supernumerary teeth, and others. While delays in adult teeth development are caused by issues that can be easily rectified, discussing when to worry about baby teeth not coming in with your child’s dentist is highly recommended.
If you still have concerns or need any form of dental treatment that involves pediatric sedation dentistry for kids, Children’s Dentistry in Las Vegas offers top-notch oral health care. If you live in the Las Vegas area, contact our office today.