You adore your baby's gummy smile, but you know it won't last forever. Soon you will see a little white bump emerging from her gums, and eventually her gummy smile will be replaced with an equally adorable toothy toddler grin. What you may not know is that those little teeth were in your baby's mouth from the time she was born.
Fetal Tooth Development
According to Children's Hospital Boston, the first stage of tooth development begins in a fetus about six weeks into gestation. At this point, the basic tooth substance is formed. The hard tissue around the teeth doesn't form until about three to four months' gestation. Since the teeth are formed so early on, pregnant women should consume plenty of calcium, vitamins C and D, and phosphorous to aid in tooth development. Moreover, pregnant women should avoid taking certain medications (e.g. tetracycline), as they can harm developing teeth.
Natal Teeth
Most newborns are born with the gummy smile you see on your baby. However, according to pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, about one in 2,000 newborns is born with some teeth, known as natal teeth. They aren't necessarily an indication of any health problems. However, the presence of all teeth may indicate a hormonal condition such as hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland). They can also cause pain in a newborn and problems with nursing. Natal teeth are often extra, but a doctor should confirm this by examining them prior to removing them.
Delayed Emergence
Although some infants are late bloomers, Medline Plus Encyclopedia recommends seeing a pediatrician if you haven't seen any teeth emerge in your child by nine months. He may exhibit additional symptoms that, in conjunction with delayed tooth development, are related to health conditions such as hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid gland, and Apert syndrome, a congenital disorder that involves premature fusion of some bones in the skull.
Typical Order of Emergence
Most baby teeth arrive between four and 12 months of age, but babies may also be early or late bloomers. Typically, the first teeth to arrive are the lower two front teeth. They are often followed by the upper four incisors, then the first four molars, the bottom two teeth beside first bottom teeth, and the pointed teeth (cuspids). Finally, after age 2, the four second molars should arrive.
Developmental Checkup
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends taking your child to see a dentist within six months of the eruption of her first tooth or before her first birthday. A dentist can check your baby's teeth for decay and other conditions; she can also show you proper cleaning techniques.
