#asktheexpert my son is 18 months old. Still not a single teeth erupted but the gums are whitish. Is it normal?

1 Answer

Shaista TarannumMom of a 16 yr 6 m old boy3 years ago

A. A baby’s health is delicate as their entire system is in the developmental stages for the most part of their childhood. Therefore, parents must take extra care of what they come in contact with, especially what enters their mouths. When it’s time for your little one to sprout the first pair of teeth, it can be a stage of mixed feelings. Some parents have it easy during teething as a small percentage of children respond more calmly to this development. Others have their work cut out for them as all the symptoms and distress seem to affect both parent and child. For most babies, teething typically starts between 6 and 12 months. And, babies have their set of primary teeth by the age of three. Babies get their teeth in pairs. The lower front teeth come first, and the upper front teeth usually erupt a couple of months later. Then appear the lower and upper lateral teeth, followed by first molars, canines, and second molars. So, by three years of age, your baby would have a set of 20 primary teeth. This is the normal growth schedule of teeth but it is not necessary for all the babies to teeth as per the schedule. Some may have them earlier while some may have later. The average age of teething is around six months. Teething before six months is considered early teething. If the baby is not teething until 13 months, then it is considered delayed teething. Don’t worry if your baby’s teething is delayed; it varies from one child to another. As long as your baby’s hair, skin, and bone growth are normal, there is nothing to worry about. Delayed teething doesn’t indicate any problem in the overall development of your baby.