14 Months Has No Teeth

Hi C. -
that was totally us! Adam is a smart normal child every other way, but he didn't get his first bottom teeth until 15months - and it took like 2 months for them to come in fully -

then he got his molars - all at once, at 16 months -

only now at 20 months are his two middle upper teeth coming in - and we can see another coming through next to the bottom middle teeth - all other kids his age have 16 teeth!

I was worried too, and called a pediatric dentist - they said it is unusual but not unheard of - some babies don't get their first teeth until 2 years! my pediatrician said "very interesting tooth eruption pattern" and "nothing to worry about"

it only held Adam back a little, food-wise, I had to chop stuff up since he couldn't use his front teeth to bite an apple or peach or nectarine - but it really didn't matter once he got a piece into his mouth, he could gum it as if he had teeth.

don't worry! they are in there!

My daughter was almost 19 months old when she got her first tooth -- about 2 weeks after her 18 mo appt where her Dr said he wouldn't worry until she was 2. She is now 4 and has all her teeth - she cut her molars very late too. It is likely that she will also lose the baby teeth late too. But totally normal. My son is 2 and got his first teeth much earlier - around 8 months.

Hi!

My daughter didn't get her first tooth until almost 14 months. Now she is 18 months and has 9 of them. They just all came in fast after that. Don't worry.

My oldest daughter (who is now 20) did not get her first tooth until she was 15 months. She was a late teether her entire life after that, a couple years behind for all her molars. She was missing a couple of permanent teeth, but other than that, no big deal

My daughter was the same way. She didn't get her first tooth until she was almost 14 months. I wouldn't worry, but when they do come in, start brushing them right away.

My daughter had a lot of fevers when she was a baby due to ear infections. The fevers caused the enamal to weaken while they were still developing.

teeth come when they come...relax! mine came in at 15 months...a

I wouldn't worry. I remember my parents telling stories about me not getting my first baby tooth until I was a year old. I was glad I knew that because then I didn't panic when my daughter didn't start cutting her first tooth until she was over 18 months old. Some kids are just later in the teeth than others. The bonus to all of it is, they lose their baby teeth later, and have really good brushing habits, etc. by the time they have their permanent teeth. My daughter is now 13 years old and still has 4 of her baby teeth left to lose. She is happy and healthy. I'm sure your daughter will be, too. (Incidentally, my last two baby teeth never fell out, and were finally pulled out by a dentist when I was 20 years old -- and they weren't molers, they were my canines! My permanent teeth came in and replaced them, no problem. Just goes to show, everyone is different!)

My oldest daughter didn't get her first tooth until she was 14 months old. I was worried that I would have to get her baby dentures. :-) However, the result of her getting her teeth late has been entirely positive. They are strong and she has never had a cavity. She is now almost 15 and the only downside was she had to wait to get her braces until her 12 year molars grew in at age 13. Don't worry, she'll be fine

Take her to a pediatric dentist and have them take a look. I wouldn't worry though. Just get it checked out.

My now 20 month old had problems with her teeth and mouth at 6 monthd old. Pediatric Dentist Dr. Solomon came in with answers that others hadn't even thought of. He is wonderful with babies and children, and I highly recommend him if you have questions or concerns about kids' oral health.

Joshua J Solomon
1133 E Stanley Blvd # 217
Livermore, CA 94550

Good Luck!
K.
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The only experience I have with late teething is a niece who didn't get her first tooth until 13 or 14 months of age. We were told, and wondered if it was a 'wive's tale' or fact at the time, that if a child got their teeth late, they would have good teeth throughout life. I still don't know if that is factual, but can say my niece has beautiful, healthy teeth. I don't see a need to worry. Have you had a dentist check her out to see if the teeth look good under the gums? If not, that may be your next step to reassure you that she's OK with her teeth.

My husbands family were all late (12 months +) to get their teeth. My children followed in their footsteps. How old were you and your husband when you got your first teeth? If you have other late teethers in the family, at least you know what to tell other people who keep asking you about it.

Supposedly my mother-in-law brought my brother-in-law (50th birthday tomorrow) into the dentist when he was a yaer+ and toothless. She asked the dentist it X-ray him to make sure he had teeth. The dentist laughed at her, "I've never known anyone who didn't get teeth eventually." but he X-rayed him anyway.

I think it would be pretty hard on a toddler to get her mouth x-rayed (and now days we know x-rays are not totally safe!)

Hi -- At 18 months my niece had only 3 teeth (2 top front, 1 bottom front). The lack of teeth did not really slow her down at all in terms of eating. Her father and his siblings were also slow teethers. She is now 16, and has all the required teeth.
Good luck, A.

Hi C.,
My son is 12.5 mos. and his first tooth just appeared. I'm happy b/c I've been breastfeeding him and haven't had to deal w/ him biting me! :) From the time he was born, my mom kept telling me that she hoped his teeth wouldn't come in until he was older. She seems to believe there's a correlation between greater intelligence and delayed teeth. I don't know what she is talking about, but hey, sounds good to me! I wouldn't worry about it!

My son is 12 1/2 months old and not a tooth in sight (and incidentally not much hair either). Since my friend's baby got his first tooth at 4 months and now at 12 months has 6 teeth I have been looking for a long time for my son's teeth to come. For the last 7 months, every time he cries loudly with his finger in his mouth we would say "oh he's teething". Well now that's become a bit of an inside joke and I have just let it go. They will come when they come. And, as someone else mentioned, I am still breastfeeding and I am not complaining at all about not having teeth to contend with (was previously a big fear of mine). He is eating tons of solid finger foods so I don't feel it is really inhibiting him in any way and I love his gummy smile (and bald head). I kind of feel like I have had the rare treat to have him as a baby for longer than most. I wouldn't worry if I were you - babies are individuals just like us and they develop at their own pace. So, enjoy your gummy grins while they last and take lots of pictures!

My first son didn't get his 1st tooth until he was almost 15 months old, and the second son closer to 13 months old. If the pediatrician isn't worried, don't you be worried. She will get them soon enough. Plus, I was told by tons of people that it means their teeth will also be stronger. Just be prepared that the first few breaking through will definitely be painful for your daughter because her gums have gotten more tough than if she would have cut a few teeth earlier. Once the first few pop out, she will be used to the pain. Best of wishes.

My dentist said not to worry about late teething. My son was a late teether and I became worried. He said if he still doesn't show signs of teething by 18 months they will take an x-ray just to make sure he's got some. hehe He also said that the later his baby teeth come in the later they will fall out. Take lots of pictures of your gummy grinning baby!!

My son didn't get his first tooth until he was 15 months old... (it was my Christmas present) The doctor told us it is better because he will get his adult teeth later too.

I was worried just like you and compared him to my daughter who is 20 months older and got her first tooth at 10 months.... but they came. Have lots of teething medicine ready (the teething tablets are the BEST) because when your daughter does start it probably won't stop for a while. With my daughter it was a little at a time and in pairs... with my son it was one at a time for about 9 months. Even his front teeth came in at different times and last (at almost 2). He actually got his back teeth first, which is not common, but then neither is getting your first tooth at 15 months.

You are not alone. :)

Hi C.,
Just as your doctor says wait and see. My first daughter got her first tooth at 11 months which I know is kind of on the late side. So when my second daughter came along I knew not to worry, her first tooth showed up at 15 months. By seventeen months she still had only her two bottom front teeth when suddenly her top first year molars appreared. My daughter's pediatrician said that the average age for the first tooth is 6 months but that they sometimes get it as late as 17 or 18 months and the latest first tooth he's ever seen was at 22 months. Though most babies usually start getting teeth around 6 months and in a specific order there are variations and it is all very normal. So try not to worry and enjoy that adorable toothless grin because once it's gone it's gone. - K.

My daughter got 2 teeth at 9 months and then nothing for 8 more months until she got 2 more at 15 months. I have a ton of people asking about them, including my mother in law who is convinced it's some sort of nutritional deficiency!

Everything I have been able to find says that if they have no teeth at 18 months it's worth seeing a pediatric dentist, but not to worry at all before then. And so long as at least one tooth is present at 18 months, there's nothing to worry about.

My daughter also was a late teether. There is nothing wrong with a late teether. Dont worry on the teething, just be ready for when they do start to come in as they might come in with a bang! My daughter got a lot of her teeth at the same time and boy was it a difficult few weeks of her not feeling well. Go stock up on the teething pills (not the gel but the pills that melt) and remember to be patient as time and stages go so fast with our precious little ones.