When do babies typically start teething. What are the common signs and symptoms of teething in infants. How can parents soothe their teething baby’s discomfort. Is fever a normal part of the teething process. What remedies are safe and effective for teething babies.

The Teething Timeline: When Do Babies Start Getting Teeth?

Teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, marking the emergence of their first teeth. While the average age for a baby’s first tooth to appear is around 6 months, it’s important to note that every child is unique, and teething can begin earlier or later.

Some babies may start teething as early as 2 months old, although this is relatively uncommon. By 12 months, most babies typically have 2-4 teeth, and by 3 years old, they usually have a full set of 20 primary or “baby” teeth.

Typical Teething Order

While the exact order can vary, baby teeth generally emerge in the following sequence:

1. Bottom central incisors (6-10 months)
2. Top central incisors (8-12 months)
3. Bottom and top lateral incisors (9-16 months)
4. First molars (13-19 months)
5. Canines (16-23 months)
6. Second molars (23-33 months)

Recognizing the Signs: How to Tell if Your Baby is Teething

Identifying teething symptoms can help parents better understand and comfort their baby during this potentially uncomfortable phase. Common signs of teething include:

• Increased drooling
• Swollen, tender gums
• Irritability or fussiness
• Desire to chew on hard objects
• Slight increase in body temperature (but not over 101°F or 38.3°C)
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

Can teething cause fever? While teething may cause a slight increase in body temperature, a true fever (over 101°F or 38.3°C) is not typically associated with teething. If your baby has a high fever, it’s best to consult your pediatrician as it may indicate another underlying issue.

Soothing Strategies: Effective Ways to Comfort a Teething Baby

There are several safe and effective methods to ease your baby’s teething discomfort:

• Gently massage the gums with a clean finger
• Offer a firm rubber teething ring (avoid frozen teethers as they can be too hard)
• Provide cold, soft foods for babies already eating solids
• Use a clean, cool washcloth for the baby to chew on
• Ensure proper rest and comfort

Are teething gels safe for babies? The FDA advises against using teething gels containing benzocaine due to potential side effects. Similarly, teething tablets with belladonna are not recommended. Always consult your pediatrician before using any medication for teething relief.

Early Teething: What to Expect When Babies Teeth at 2 Months

While teething at 2 months is less common, it’s not unheard of. Early teething can present unique challenges for both babies and parents. If you suspect your 2-month-old is teething, pay close attention to their symptoms and consult your pediatrician for guidance.

How can you tell if a 2-month-old is teething? Look for signs such as excessive drooling, irritability, and swollen gums. However, remember that these symptoms can also be related to normal developmental changes at this age.

Dental Care for New Teeth: Establishing Good Oral Hygiene Habits

As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, it’s time to start a dental care routine. Here are some tips for maintaining good oral hygiene in infants:

• Use a soft, infant-sized toothbrush or clean cloth to gently clean the teeth and gums
• Use a rice-grain sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children under 3 years old
• Brush twice daily, especially before bedtime
• Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle to prevent tooth decay

When should a baby have their first dental visit? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling a child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears.

Teething and Nutrition: Impact on Feeding Patterns

Teething can sometimes affect a baby’s eating habits. Some babies may eat less due to sore gums, while others might want to eat more frequently for comfort. Here are some tips to manage feeding during teething:

• Offer cold foods like yogurt or pureed fruits (for babies already eating solids)
• Use a cold spoon or teething toy before meals to numb the gums
• Be patient and flexible with feeding schedules
• Ensure proper hydration, especially if the baby is drooling excessively

Can teething cause diarrhea? While some parents report loose stools during teething, there’s no scientific evidence linking teething directly to diarrhea. If your baby experiences persistent diarrhea, consult your pediatrician.

Teething Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction

There are many myths surrounding teething that can confuse parents. Let’s address some common misconceptions:

• Myth: Teething causes high fevers – Fact: Teething may cause a slight temperature increase but not high fevers
• Myth: Teething leads to severe diarrhea – Fact: There’s no scientific evidence linking teething to significant digestive issues
• Myth: Amber necklaces relieve teething pain – Fact: There’s no scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of amber necklaces, and they pose a choking hazard
• Myth: All babies follow the same teething timeline – Fact: Teething patterns can vary significantly between children

Do teething babies sleep more or less? Teething can disrupt sleep patterns, but the effect varies among babies. Some may sleep more due to the discomfort, while others might have trouble sleeping. Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine can help manage sleep disruptions during teething.

When to Consult a Doctor: Recognizing Serious Symptoms

While teething is a normal process, there are times when you should seek medical advice. Consult your pediatrician if your baby experiences:

• High fever (over 101°F or 38.3°C)
• Severe diarrhea
• Excessive vomiting
• Unusual rashes
• Prolonged irritability or lethargy

How long does teething pain last for each tooth? The discomfort associated with teething typically lasts for about 3-5 days per tooth, but can be longer for molars. However, the pain isn’t usually continuous during this period.

Cultural Perspectives on Teething: Global Traditions and Remedies

Teething is a universal experience, but different cultures have unique traditions and remedies for managing it. Here are some interesting cultural perspectives:

• In some African cultures, necklaces made from certain roots are believed to ease teething pain
• In India, some parents use a mixture of ground cloves and water to soothe sore gums
• In parts of Europe, it’s traditional to give teething babies a silver spoon or coin to chew on (under supervision)
• Some Native American tribes use wooden teething sticks from specific trees

Are cultural teething remedies safe? While many traditional remedies are harmless, it’s crucial to approach them with caution. Always consult your pediatrician before trying any new teething remedy, especially those involving ingestion or prolonged contact with the baby’s mouth.

The Role of Genetics in Teething: Understanding Individual Variations

Genetics play a significant role in teething patterns, influencing factors such as:

• The age at which teething begins
• The order in which teeth emerge
• The speed of tooth eruption
• The level of discomfort experienced during teething

If you or your partner experienced early or late teething, your baby might follow a similar pattern. However, every child is unique, and variations are normal.

Can teething patterns predict future dental health? While there’s no direct correlation between teething patterns and long-term dental health, early dental care habits can significantly impact future oral health. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices from an early age are crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Teething and Development: Understanding the Bigger Picture

Teething is just one aspect of your baby’s overall development. It often coincides with other milestones such as:

• Improved hand-eye coordination
• Increased mobility (rolling over, crawling)
• Enhanced cognitive abilities
• Language development

Does teething affect other developmental milestones? While teething itself doesn’t directly impact other areas of development, the discomfort associated with it might temporarily slow down progress in other areas. For example, a teething baby might be less interested in exploring or practicing new skills due to irritability or discomfort.

It’s important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace. If you have concerns about your baby’s overall development, always consult with your pediatrician.

Preparing for Teething: Creating a Teething Toolkit

Being prepared can help make the teething process smoother for both you and your baby. Consider creating a teething toolkit that includes:

• Safe teething toys of various textures
• Cold washcloths
• Soft-bristled infant toothbrush
• Bibs for excessive drooling
• Infant pain reliever (approved by your pediatrician)

What are the best teething toys for babies? Look for teething toys that are:
– BPA-free
– Easy to clean
– Varying in texture (smooth, bumpy, ridged)
– Appropriately sized to prevent choking hazards

Remember to regularly inspect teething toys for signs of wear and tear, replacing them as necessary to ensure your baby’s safety.

Long-term Dental Health: From Baby Teeth to Permanent Teeth

While baby teeth are temporary, they play a crucial role in your child’s long-term dental health. They:
– Aid in proper speech development
– Help in chewing and digestion
– Maintain space for permanent teeth
– Contribute to facial structure development

How can parents ensure healthy transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth? Here are some tips:
1. Maintain good oral hygiene habits from infancy
2. Schedule regular dental check-ups
3. Provide a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
4. Limit sugary foods and drinks
5. Encourage proper use of sippy cups and pacifiers
6. Address thumb-sucking habits early

When do children start losing their baby teeth? Most children begin losing their baby teeth around age 6, but this can vary. The process of losing all baby teeth and gaining permanent teeth usually continues until around age 12-13.

Remember, every child’s dental development is unique. Regular dental check-ups will help ensure that your child’s teeth are developing properly and allow for early intervention if any issues arise.

In conclusion, while teething can be a challenging time for both babies and parents, understanding the process, recognizing the signs, and knowing how to provide comfort can make this developmental milestone more manageable. Whether your baby starts teething at 2 months or later, remember that each child’s journey is unique. By staying informed and prepared, you can support your baby through this important phase of growth and development.

Teething: 4 to 7 Months

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Ages & Stages

Ages & Stages

​Teething usually starts during these months. The two front teeth (central incisors), either upper or lower, usually appear first, followed by the opposite front teeth. The first molars come in next, followed by the canines or eyeteeth.

The timing of teething: 

There is great variability in the timing of teething. If your child doesn’t show any teeth until later than this age period, don’t worry. The timing may be determined by heredity, and it doesn’t mean that anything is wrong.

How to ease your baby’s discomfort:

Teething occasionally may cause mild irritability, crying, a low-grade temperature (but not over 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius), excessive drooling, and a desire to chew on something hard. More often, the gums around the new teeth will swell and be tender. Try gently rubbing or massaging the gums with one of your fingers. Teething rings are helpful, too, but they should be made of firm rubber. (The teethers that you freeze tend to get too hard and can cause more harm than good.) Pain relievers and medications that you rub on the gums are not necessary or useful since they wash out of the baby’s mouth within minutes. Some medication you rub on your child’s gums can even be harmful if too much is used and the child swallows an excessive amount. Stay away from teething tablets that contain the plant poison belladonna and gels with benzocaine. Belladonna and benzocaine are marketed to numb your child’s pain, but the FDA has issued warnings against both due to potential side effects.​ If your child seems particularly miserable or has a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius), it’s probably not because she’s teething, and you should consult your pediatrician.

How should you clean the new teeth? 

Simply brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush when you first start seeing her teeth. To prevent cavities, never let your baby fall asleep with a bottle, either at nap time or at night. By avoiding this situation, you’ll keep milk from pooling around the teeth and creating a breeding ground for decay.

Last Updated

10/6/2016

Source

Adapted from Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 6th Edition (Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Pediatrics)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

At what age do babies start teething?

There are a lot of exciting milestones in your baby’s growth and development. There’s when they roll over for the first time. Then crawling, their first step, their first word, and on and on. And one of the biggest events is when your baby’s smile starts to turn into a toothy grin.

But when do babies get their first tooth? Do teeth come in a certain order? How do you soothe a baby’s sore gums?

Below, we answer these questions, explain other teething symptoms and answer common questions about cleaning baby teeth.

At what age do babies start teething?

The average age for a baby’s first tooth to come in is around 6 months old, but every child is different. Girls’ teeth usually come in a little earlier than boys’ do. But by the time a baby is 12 months old, they typically have 2-4 teeth. And by 3 years old, most kids have all of their primary or “baby” teeth.

How many baby teeth do kids have?

Children have a total of 20 primary teeth.

What order do baby teeth come in?

Baby teeth don’t always come in the same order for each kiddo. There are typical ranges for when certain teeth come in or “erupt,” but those ranges overlap. For example, many babies get their bottom central incisors sometime between 6 months old and 10 months old, and their top central incisors between 8 months old and 12 months old. But it’s also possible that a baby can start teething as early as 2 months old.

Baby teeth chart

Again, the exact timing and order that babies’ teeth come in can vary. But here’s when they generally tend to come in:

• Bottom central incisors: 6-10 months
• Top central incisors: 8-12 months
• Bottom lateral incisors: 10-16 months
• Top lateral incisors: 9-13 months
• Bottom canines: 17-23 months
• Top canines: 16-22 months
• Bottom first molars: 14-18 months
• Top first molars: 13-19 months
• Bottom second molars: 23-31 months
• Top second molars: 25-33 months

How do I know if my baby is teething? Watch for these baby teething symptoms

Not all babies show signs of teething. But common teething symptoms can include:

• Increased fussiness
• Increased drooling, which can cause coughing and lead to a rash on baby’s face, chin or chest
• Chewing on their hands or gnawing on objects
• Rubbing their cheek or ear
• Red or swollen gums that appear to be bulging
• A low-grade fever (less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

Usually, signs of teething will start a few days before a new tooth comes in, and go away once it has.

Is teething painful for babies?

Some babies will experience discomfort or pain while teething, which helps explain some of the teething symptoms you’ll notice. Gum soreness and swelling can lead to fussiness, or cause your little one to rub their cheeks or chew on anything they can get their hands on. The good news is that most discomfort will pass quickly.

Which are the most painful teeth for babies as they come in?

Typically, the first teeth to come in are the most uncomfortable for babies, as the feeling of a tooth coming in is new and unfamiliar. The molars can also be painful because they’re larger than other teeth.

How long does teething fussiness last?

If your baby is fussy during teething, you can expect it to last for a couple days to a week before the tooth erupts through the gums. If it lasts longer than this, check in with your child’s doctor.

When to talk to a doctor about teething concerns

Again, teething symptoms are usually mild and improve in a couple of days. But talk to your child’s doctor if:

• Symptoms are prolonged or get more severe (such as constant irritability or especially aggressive chewing)
• Your child has a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Your child gets diarrhea alongside teething symptoms

How to soothe baby’s gums during teething

If your baby is showing signs of discomfort when they’ve got a tooth coming in, there are a few different things you can do to make them more comfortable.

• Wipe away drool from their chin regularly – This can help prevent skin irritation and rashes.
• Massage your baby’s gums – You can simply use a clean finger or chilled teething ring.
• Give your baby a cold washcloth or chilled teething toy to chew on – If your baby has already been introduced to solid foods that can be chilled, you can also use those. Only use a fridge to chill things (rather than the freezer), and don’t use toys that have liquid in them.
• Talk with your child’s doctor about over-the-counter pain relievers – Medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and inflammation. Just make sure you’re using one that is meant for babies, and you follow all the instructions on the label.

Don’t try to relieve your baby’s symptoms with teething gels or teething tablets, as they may contain harmful ingredients. If you have questions about a method or teething product that isn’t listed above, talk to your child’s doctor.

Baby oral care: Answers to frequently asked questions

With the arrival of teeth comes the need to keep them clean. Here’s what to know to get your baby’s dental health off to a good start.

When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth has come in.

How do I brush my baby’s teeth?

Use a small, soft toothbrush or washcloth twice a day. Start with water or a fluoride-free training toothpaste. Once your child is around 3 years old, you can start using small amounts of fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing should start when your child has teeth that have come in next to each other. If regular floss is too tricky, try using a floss pick.

Why do I need to brush my baby’s teeth?

Even though baby teeth will fall out, they’re still important. Healthy baby teeth support the health, spacing and alignment of the permanent teeth that come in after them. And getting your child used to regular brushing early on will help them form good oral hygiene habits.

Plus, tooth decay can start at a very young age. Children with tooth decay are more likely to have ear and sinus infections, and develop conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Healthy teeth help children speak quickly and clearly, too, which can give them more confidence as they grow up.

What else can I do to keep my baby’s teeth healthy?

If your child is still nursing or drinking a bottle at bedtime or overnight, talk with their doctor about when it makes sense to wean them from these feedings. This is because the sugars in your own milk or formula can sit on your baby’s teeth for prolonged periods of time overnight.

Most babies are able to sleep through the night without needing to eat sometime between 4 and 6 months old. And once they’re around 12 months old, nighttime bottles before bed can usually be stopped as well.

You can also take steps to reduce or discourage pacifier use or thumb sucking. Pacifiers specifically can be helpful early in your child’s development. They can provide comfort and have even been shown to reduce the risk of SIDs. But as your child gets older, pacifiers – and aggressive thumb sucking – can cause issues with tooth alignment.

When does my baby need to visit the dentist?

Along with brushing and flossing, regular dental visits are key to your baby’s dental health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that kids see a dentist by their first birthday, or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in.

During these visits, the dentist will examine your child’s soft tissues, gums and jaws. The earlier your child sees a dentist, the more likely they are to have good oral health in the future.

Teething and baby sleep

11/20/2016

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Why does not sleep at night

3-6 months6-9 months9-18 months 3 years

Author of the article

Natalia Trofimova

Natalia Trofimova

Senior sleep consultant, pediatrician

Mother of two daughters

According to many parents, the most common cause of poor sleep is teething (dentation). The appearance of a new tooth often affects the condition of the child. The kid becomes whiny, “tame”, and sleep often worsens. This is due to irritation of the nerve endings by erupting teeth.

During the dental period, sleep patterns may become unpredictable, daytime naps may be shorter and more frequent, and the child may wake up more frequently at night. Laying down, especially for a night’s sleep, is delayed, it is more difficult for a child to relax. Even if your child is already able to fall asleep on his own, he may need help falling asleep and staying asleep.

When teething is difficult, a dark blue ball may appear on the gums – an eruption hematoma. Most often it goes away on its own, but sometimes you need the intervention of a dentist.

Child crisis calendar

When can we expect the first teeth?

Usually from 6–7 months. But for some children, even earlier, from 4 months, and for someone later, this is also normal. The fists, fingers and everything that can fit in the mouth are constantly there, salivation increases, irritation around the mouth may appear, the gums swell and turn red, appetite changes due to pain (the child eats worse food, prefers breast or bottle). Mothers of babies often complain about biting the nipple, even with toothless gums it is painful. Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms.

Teething symptoms and help

What other than sleep disorders can be observed?

• Temperature increase – usually they speak of low, up to 38 ºС. But in practice, mothers also meet with temperatures up to 39 ºС for a couple of days, then a tooth appears, and everything goes away. If the temperature is below 38 ºС and it does not bother the child, he calmly eats and plays – do not be nervous and observe calmly. If the temperature is above 38.5 ºС, if the child is lethargic or very capricious, it is worth giving an antipyretic and contacting a pediatrician.
• Pain in the gums, itching and desire to gnaw everything, including the mother.

How to relieve itching:

• Use chilled soft teethers with water inside.
• Moisten the edge of the towel with water or compote and lightly freeze in the freezer.
• Give cold carrots to tear or dry – under control!
• Massage the gums with a special silicone tip on the finger.
• For severe discomfort, half the age dose of an antipyretic may be given 1 to 2 times a day with pediatrician approval.

Gingival gels with local anesthetics are not currently recommended. In Europe and the USA, their use for children is prohibited due to various complications when swallowed.

There are safer gels available from the first months of life. But in practice, they do not bring much relief.

• There may be loose stools up to 3-4 times a day – watery or with mucus, but without other impurities. The disorder is usually short-lived and resolves without medication. If complementary foods are introduced, it is worth temporarily canceling fruit puree.
• Runny nose – may be prolonged, discharge clear as water. Mucus is formed in the nose more than usual, due to increased blood supply to the jaws. Anatomically, the gums and nasal cavity are very close.
• Coughing may occur, worse when lying down. Breathing does not change. This goes away without treatment in a few days and is associated with profuse salivation and flow of mucus from the nasopharynx – babies do not cope well with swallowing large amounts of saliva. To alleviate the situation, you can use an aspirator. If the baby protests as soon as he sees the aspirator in your hands, try to induce a sneeze by laying the child on his stomach and tickling his nose with a feather or a string under funny jokes.

You can walk with normal health and temperature. Remember that all these manifestations during teething are short-lived and usually do not require treatment. But in case of any doubt, it is better to show the baby to the doctor.

Teething syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is suggested when all other possible causes of a rise in temperature have been ruled out.

How long does a new tooth interfere with sleep?

People used to write off a lot of things on “teeth”. Yes, when teething, a child can be capricious, irritable, have difficulty calming down and sleep worse. But not 3 months in a row. Sleep disturbances – frequent awakenings due to discomfort and long falling asleep – are possible for several days at the peak of eruption, with the direct passage of the tooth through the gum.

In Brazil, they conducted an interesting study: for 8 months, the condition of children in 47 families was assessed daily and their gums were checked. The study showed that teething could be combined with sleep disturbance, salivation, rash, runny nose, diarrhea, a short increase in body temperature, but all these symptoms were constantly noted only on the day the tooth passed through the gum and one day after. In the first days of eruption, there were no symptoms.

If constant nocturnal awakenings drag on for weeks, it’s probably not the teeth. Most likely, the regimen is not suitable for the child, or there are strong associations for falling asleep and prolonging sleep.

How to improve sleep during teething

Depending on the child’s age, the recommendations for the regimen of the child may be different, but there are general patterns:

• Allow more time for calming down before bedtime, especially in the evening. The usual bedtime ritual and a longer calm “bridge to sleep” will help.
• If the sleep is too short, the next wakefulness should be shortened, put to bed earlier for the next nap or at night.
• If the child has a fever, let him sleep more than usual, do not wake him up from daytime sleep, return to his usual regimen later, when the situation has improved.
• If you refuse solid foods because of gum pain, do not deny your baby extra breastfeeding or bottle feeding, including at night.
• If you have to introduce rocking, carrying, sucking to help you fall asleep to calm down, try to do this until calm and relaxing and stop just before entering sleep so that the child does not form a stable association for falling asleep.
• In case of severe fever, severe pain reaction, consult a doctor.

If your baby’s teeth have been keeping the whole family from getting enough sleep for several weeks, book a consultation with BabySleep, our experienced baby sleep consultants will help you sort out the situation and establish good quality sleep.

Based on materials from sites: fda.gov and slate.com

Article updated: 06/26/2021

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Why does a child’s teeth grow poorly

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The first erupted tooth in a child is a joyful event for parents. But what if there are no teeth at 6 or 8 months or even later? Is this really a problem or can we wait?

Milk teeth: up to 2–2.5 years they should grow exactly 20

Sometimes the change of teeth to permanent ones is delayed, so sometimes an examination may be required to establish whether everything is in order.

Why can’t teeth grow in time?

Individual features

The average time for the appearance of the first milk tooth is 6 months, but teeth can begin to erupt as early as three months or a year, and both options are normal. If the child’s teeth do not appear, but there are no other complaints and the pediatrician does not notice any problems, then there is no need to worry until a year or a little over.

The same applies to the late start of the change of milk teeth to permanent ones. In some children, permanent incisors begin to appear already in the older group of kindergarten, while others experience this moment at school. The normal period for the formation of a permanent bite is from 7 to 13 years.

Teeth may erupt later than the average term in weakened, often ill children.

What to do?

Watch for other complaints, if necessary, contact the doctors, and if there are no complaints, then nothing. It is impossible to influence the rate of appearance of teeth.

Partial dentition

Adentia is the congenital absence of tooth buds. Most often, the top two “twos” are missing. Moreover, there may be a lack of both milk and permanent teeth, or both.

Adentia is a congenital condition, it occurs due to a failure in the embryonic period during the laying of the main organs and systems.

It is very difficult to notice the partial adentia of milk teeth: the teeth are small, they are all of a similar shape, and others take the place of the missing ones. Such adentia does not harm the chewing process in any way.

If permanent teeth are missing, this is already visible visually. In this case, malocclusion may develop, as the “triples” are pulled up to the place of the missing “twos”, the following teeth are also displaced.

Partial adentia – absence of upper incisors Partial adentia – there are no upper incisors, but “triples” have taken their place

The exception is wisdom teeth, they are also “eights”. Their functions are not so important, in most people they remain impacted, and if they are lost, they are not replaced. Their absence does not affect the health and aesthetics of a smile.

What to do?

If there is a partial lack of permanent teeth, it is most often necessary to correct the bite and prepare a place for prosthetics. If you do not prosthetics, but close the empty space with neighboring teeth, then this will not be a complete solution to the problem – the dentition will be narrower than it should have been.

Completely edentulous

This is a rare occurrence – the complete absence of rudiments of teeth (deciduous or permanent). In this case, the teeth cannot erupt because they simply do not exist in the jaw bone.

Complete adentia in the picture

In medicine, cases have been described when the patient had milk teeth, but the permanent ones were completely absent. The loss of milk teeth was timely, but permanent teeth did not appear in return. At this point, the child’s parents paid attention to the problem, and the dentist made a diagnosis.

In addition to being congenital, adentia can be acquired if the child has undergone severe treatment (chemotherapy) at an early age. Due to the toxic effect of drugs, the rudiments of the teeth can be damaged.

What to do?

Adentia is clearly visible on the CT scan. If such a diagnosis is made, the only option is complete prosthetics. Since the case is rare, the question of when to prosthetic teeth and in what way should be decided individually.

If missing teeth are not replaced, the chewing process cannot be complete. Even the lack of 2-3 teeth is reflected in digestion. Bone tissue, if the jaws do not receive enough load during chewing, undergoes resorption (resorption), and this leads to weakening and loosening of the remaining teeth, increasing the risk of periodontal disease.