“Decoding the Enigma: Unveiling the Truth About Teething”
Is your little one experiencing excessive drooling and irritability, accompanied by a tendency to grab anything within reach to soothe their gums? These could be signs that your baby is teething. However, the timing of this process can vary greatly among children.
Dr. Beth Oller shared with USA TODAY that her twin children had different teething timelines, with one getting five teeth at 10 months while the other had just started teething. According to Oller, “Teething can vary significantly.”
Medical experts shed light on what parents should know about babies and teething:
When do babies start teething?
While most babies typically get their first teeth between 6 and 10 months, Johns Hopkins Medicine indicates that teething can begin anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. The initial teeth to emerge are usually the bottom two, as mentioned by Oller.
Concerns about late teething in babies
If your child seems to be a late bloomer in the teething department, pediatric experts suggest not worrying excessively. Oller advises seeking dental evaluation if no teeth have erupted by 12 months, while some professionals may recommend waiting until 18 months. Delayed teething could be attributed to factors like premature birth, low birth weight, malnutrition, or certain syndromes and disorders.
In most cases, delayed teething doesn’t pose significant problems, although it may affect chewing, speech, or facial expressions. The primary reason for late teething is often that your baby’s teeth are simply taking their time to come in and will likely emerge soon.
