As a parent, you don’t want to miss any of your baby’s first milestones, including their first tooth. Oral health is an important aspect of overall health, and the emergence of baby teeth is a normal part of a child’s growth. By the age of three, most children will have 20 teeth, with the majority erupting within the first two years of life. However, the process of tooth eruption doesn’t always go according to plan. A baby’s teeth are coming in the wrong order could indicate an underlying issue. In this book, we’ll explore what you need to know about your baby’s teeth.
As your baby grows, they will begin teething, and their teeth will start to emerge. While there is a typical schedule for the order in which baby teeth come in, it’s not uncommon for a baby’s teeth to deviate from this order. This is due to an overlap in the time frames for different teeth.
Although it doesn’t happen to every baby, teeth that grow in the wrong order can cause alignment issues that may require the attention of a dentist. In this book, we’ll explain why your baby’s teeth might grow in the wrong order and how to recognize if this is happening.
We’ll also discuss when it becomes a real concern and what you can do to address it. Finally, we’ll answer frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Tooth Eruption Order
In the first three years, your child will have five different types of teeth. This is the sequence in which your baby’s teeth will erupt.
- Front teeth or central incisors
- Between the central incisors and canines or lateral incisors
- First molars
- Besides the front molars or the canines
- Second molars.
However, if your baby’s teeth do not follow the order, you should not usually worry about it. Although most often, babies’ central incisors (bottom front teeth) are typically the first teeth to erupt in a baby.
Timing
Some babies are born with one or more teeth–genetics can play a big part. This is how it works: If you or your partner got your baby teeth early, it’s likely that your child will, too. Moreover, you must note that teething is different for each child. There are cases where some babies start to get their first couple of teeth as soon as 4 to 7 months old, while others don’t get their first teeth until nine months old, or sometimes until they’re one year old.
You can keep track of your child’s teething progress every four months.
Before we get into the solutions for this problem, take a look at the typical order which different baby teeth arrive, according to ADA information:
- Central incisor (bottom row) – 6-10 months
- Central incisor (top row) – 8-12 months
- Lateral incisor (top row) – 9-13 months
- Lateral incisor (bottom row) – 10-16 months
- First molar (top row) – 13-19 months
- First molar (bottom row) – 14-18 months
- Canine (top row) – 16-22 months
- Canine (bottom row) – 17-23 months
- Second molar (bottom row) – 23-31 months
- Second molar (top row) – 25-33 months
While this is not a strict guideline for the healthy eruption of baby teeth, it’s something that parents and caregivers can use to know what sort of timeline to expect with teething.
Baby Teeth Not Coming Out In Order
It’s not uncommon for babies’ teeth to erupt earlier or later than usual, with some even starting to come in as early as four months old. Each baby has a unique timetable for teeth growth.
While it’s natural for a baby’s teeth to come in a certain order, it’s also possible for them to appear differently than expected. For instance, your baby’s upper front teeth might come in before their lower ones, and this shouldn’t be a cause for concern. By the age of three, your child should have all 20 primary teeth in good condition.
However, there can be complications if your baby’s teeth are not erupting properly. For instance, if permanent teeth are not in their correct positions, it could cause issues with spacing and alignment. It’s important to address such concerns with a pediatric dentist to prevent long-term effects on your child’s oral health.
How To Tell
One of the ways that a baby’s teeth can come in “the wrong order” is if they start teething early altogether.
It’s common for your baby to start teething after they’ve reached the 6-month-old mark, but in some cases, they could start teething as early as 3-5 months old. The following are some signs that those teeth are starting to cut through the gums early:
- Out-of-the-ordinary coughing
- Irritability
- Low-grade fever
- Drooling
- Chewing and gnawing
Furthermore, you can physically check to see if your baby’s teeth are coming in the wrong order by looking inside their mouth with clean hands.
An obvious indication, for example, would be the sight of a molar cutting through the gums near the back of the mouth before any of the front teeth have started to erupt.
Why Does This Occur?
It’s not uncommon for parents to become worried at the slightest sign of abnormality in their baby. But the good news is that if your baby’s teeth are emerging in the wrong order, it’s typically not a major concern. Every baby is unique, and their biology may not follow the typical timetable for tooth development.
That said, it’s important to note that certain factors such as premature birth or genetic conditions like Apert Syndrome and Down Syndrome can cause delayed or out-of-order tooth eruption. If you suspect that your baby’s teeth are not developing as they should be, it’s important to consult with your pediatric dentist to rule out any underlying conditions and ensure proper dental health.
What Does It Mean?
In most cases, baby teeth arriving delayed or in the wrong order don’t require much intervention from the caregivers. But if a doctor or pediatric dentist assesses the situation and points to a hereditary condition at the root, other associated health issues could be considered.
When To Talk To A Pediatric Dentist
If you notice that your baby’s teeth are erupting out of order, earlier or later than expected, or if you suspect any other teething problems, it’s best to consult with your pediatrician first. They can assess the situation and advise you on any necessary course of action.
Teething problems can sometimes lead to issues like crowding or decay, especially if multiple teeth erupt incorrectly. In such rare cases, your pediatric dentist may need to intervene to prevent further complications.
Prematurely-born babies or those who do not receive adequate medical care are more likely to experience teething issues. If your child has not had any teeth emerge by the age of 18 months, it’s advisable to see a dentist. Additionally, all babies should start visiting the dentist after their first birthday.
Most children get their first set of permanent teeth at around six years old, usually starting with the bottom central incisors before moving on to the next set. If you notice that your baby’s teeth are coming in too close together, consult a pediatric dentist.
It’s important to address any dental issues that arise as soon as possible to prevent future risks and ensure your baby’s teeth remain healthy.
- Gingivitis
- Feeding difficulties
- Cavities
- Brown or yellow spots on teeth
- Cellulitis
- Infections
- Early tooth loss
- Tooth decay
Always communicate with your dentist, as babies are more prone to baby tooth decay.
Conclusion
It’s not uncommon for a baby’s teeth to erupt in the wrong order, such as molars coming in before incisors. While this may not necessarily be a sign of any underlying health problems, it can lead to crowding issues and may require further examination by a pediatric dentist.
It’s essential to consult both your doctor and a pediatric dentist to determine if any action needs to be taken regarding your baby’s teeth. Prompt attention can help prevent potential issues down the line and ensure your baby has a healthy set of teeth.
FAQs
Is It Normal For Babies To Have Gaps In Their Front Teeth?
Gaps between baby teeth are common and usually nothing to worry about. These are particularly common between the bottom front teeth and the top two teeth.
Gaps are a sign of healthy tooth alignment. The gaps allow for space as the permanent teeth erupt around 6 years old.
In most cases, the gaps will close as your child’s mouth grows. However, if the gaps do not close by the time your little one gets their permanent teeth, they may need braces to correct the alignment.
Is It Normal For Babies To Get Side Teeth First?
Babies usually get their front teeth first. However, every child is different; some may get their side teeth first instead. It’s important to remember that your child is fine as long as all the baby teeth eventually come in.
Do Teeth Always Fall Out In The Same Order?
Baby teeth normally fall out in the same order they came in. Adult teeth take time to travel to their place. Children’s teeth start to loosen when they push against the baby teeth.
Kids usually lose the lower central incisors first. This is often followed by their two front teeth or upper central incisors. Their upper canines and second molars are often the last to leave.
The primary teeth, or baby teeth, start to fall out around age 6 to 7. This continues until around age 12. By age 21, most people have their full set of 32 permanent teeth.
Early tooth loss usually happens in kids who also have their teeth early. The opposite is also true. Late tooth loss usually happens in children who get their teeth in late.
What Is The Difference Between Primary And Permanent Teeth?
Primary teeth, or baby teeth, are your child’s first set of teeth. These are sometimes called milk teeth, as they can appear while your baby is still breastfeeding or bottle feeding. These small teeth hold a place in your baby’s gums for permanent teeth.
They are smaller than permanent teeth and have thinner enamel. This gives the appearance of the “pearly whites” children are known for. Their roots are also smaller, allowing them to loosen easily.
Permanent teeth are larger and have thicker enamel. Other teeth do not replace these. With proper oral care, your child will keep these teeth for life.
What If My Baby’s Teeth Are Coming In Crooked?
If your baby’s teeth are crooked, there’s usually no need to fret. Baby teeth can come in crooked for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is genetics.
As a child’s mouth develops, their jaw grows. This growth changes the formation of their teeth and gums. The baby’s teeth will often straighten out on their own as the jaw expands.
If your child’s teeth don’t straighten, that’s okay. It’s not uncommon for permanent teeth to come in straight, even if the baby teeth were crooked.
Talk to their pediatric dentist if you are concerned about your baby’s crooked teeth.
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