Talking about Teething: Part I - What happens when?

Arrival of your baby’s first tooth is a developmental milestone and but bear in mind oral hygiene care starts even before their eruption.

The first teeth to erupt in the oral cavity are the lower front teeth known as the incisors. They erupt around 6 months after birth. They are followed by the upper incisors and each tooth progressively erupts following a specific sequence of eruption. By the time your baby is 3 years old, most likely all her milk teeth will be in place.

Sometimes the eruption may be a little delayed, as all babies follow their own unique growth curve. If the first tooth has not erupted by the age of 1 year, it would be a good idea to get an opinion from your dentist. As a general rule, remember that your baby’s first dental visit should be when her first tooth erupts.

Did you know that sometimes your babies may be born with teeth?

This often comes as a surprise for their mamas and dadas but it’s not a worrisome prospect.

Teeth that are present at the time of birth are called Natal teeth whereas those which erupt within a month after birth are called Neonatal teeth.

These teeth may pose a problem if they are mobile as there is a risk of aspiration. Another issue could be if the teeth are causing any discomfort during feeding. In either of these cases it’s better to visit your dentist and get these teeth removed. However if the teeth are firm and not causing a problem in feeding then they can be left as they are.

Another question we often get asked is, “If these natal or neonatal teeth are removed do they come back?” Well the answer is most likely they will not come back as they aren’t extra teeth to begin with, just teeth that raced ahead for their eruption.

Here we’re sharing with you the normal eruption ages for all the primary (baby) teeth (courtesy of American Dental Association). Don’t get hassled if your baby’s teeth are not exactly following these ages, a little variation is only normal. But if you have any doubts regarding teething you can always consult your dentist.

Now let’s talk about what your baby feels when their teeth are erupting. At times they might feel nothing different but more often than not they might experience any of the following to varying degrees:

1. Increase in drooling

2. Sometimes a mild fever

3. Tenderness in the gums

4. Sore and swollen gums

5. Fussiness or crankiness

6. Tendency to chew on things

7. Reduced appetite

Here are some of the things NOT associated with teething:

1. High fever

2. Diaper rashes

3. Diarrhoea

So bear in mind that if your baby is feeling any of these, it’s time to see a doctor.

This is what you need to remember when your baby starts getting her teeth. Now what you can do to ease your baby’s teething process is coming up in part II. So don’t forget to check it out!