When babies start teething, parents are often excited to see their little ones grow shiny white teeth. The timing of teething can vary, with some babies starting earlier than others. So, what are the reasons for delayed teething in babies? Let's find out together!
Characteristics of Baby Teething
1. Teeth erupt in a certain order, corresponding to the sequence of dental germ development.
2. The eruption of teeth has a specific time frame, but it varies widely among individuals. It is normal for teeth to erupt between 6 to 12 months.
3. Teeth on the same side of the mouth tend to erupt simultaneously.
4. Lower teeth usually erupt slightly earlier than their upper counterparts.
Symptoms of Baby Teething
1. Pain: Your baby may show signs of pain and discomfort.
2. Irritability: The discomfort caused by teething can make babies irritable and prone to crying and fussiness, especially in the days leading up to tooth eruption.
3. Red cheeks: You may notice red spots on your baby's cheeks.
4. Drooling: Excessive saliva production during teething can cause your baby to drool frequently.
5. Gnawing, chewing, or biting objects: Your baby may exhibit these actions when anything is placed near their mouth.
6. Swollen gums: Check your baby's mouth to see if their gums appear red and swollen.
7. Restless sleep: Your baby may wake up in the middle of the night and appear restless and agitated, even if they were sleeping soundly before.
8. Slightly elevated body temperature: Teething can cause a slight increase in body temperature, making your baby feel slightly warmer than usual.
Reasons for Delayed Teething
1. Physical factors: Babies with good constitution tend to have better digestion, which helps them absorb the necessary nutrients for tooth development. The teeth are highly calcified, requiring various nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and fluoride. If any of these nutrients are lacking, it can hinder tooth development. Calcium, which mothers pay great attention to, is indeed one of the most important nutrients.
2. Gestational age: Tooth development and growth are a long-term and complex process, and not all babies start teething between 4 to 10 months as commonly believed. We can roughly divide tooth development into three stages: growth, calcification, and eruption. Baby teeth start developing and calcifying while the baby is still in the mother's womb. Normal babies are born with two-thirds of the crown formed, with varying degrees of calcification, but the eruption is not yet complete. Therefore, babies with shorter gestational age tend to have delayed teething.
3. Calcium deficiency: After birth, teeth continue to calcify, so adequate calcium is essential for their growth. If a baby has delayed teething and also exhibits symptoms such as poor physical growth, excessive sweating, sleep disturbances, thinning hair, and excessive crying, it is a clear sign of calcium deficiency. A further examination at the hospital is recommended for a proper diagnosis, and under a doctor's guidance, calcium supplementation should be considered.
4. Genetic factors: Delayed teething and incomplete enamel development of primary teeth may also be due to obstacles encountered during tooth development in the embryonic stage. The intake of nutrition by the mother during pregnancy, as well as the supplementation of calcium and vitamin D, plays a significant role in the development of a baby's teeth. In some cases, the lack of maternal nutrition leads to delayed teething in babies.
5. Illness: Some diseases, such as pituitary insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and Down syndrome, not only cause delayed growth of all teeth but also manifest in other systemic symptoms, making them easier to identify.
Precautions for Baby Teething
The first primary tooth should erupt around 6 months of age. If a child has not erupted their first tooth by 1 year old, it is considered delayed teething.
The most common cause of delayed teething is vitamin D deficiency rickets. Extreme malnutrition, congenital hypothyroidism, and congenital syphilis are also causes of delayed teething. If a child is over 1 year old and has not yet erupted a tooth, parents should take them to the hospital for examination. If calcium and vitamin D supplements are given and the teeth still do not erupt, and other diseases have been ruled out, an X-ray should be taken to determine if there are dental germs. If dental germs are present, the teeth will eventually erupt. If there are no dental germs, the issue of tooth agenesis should be considered.
Calcium supplementation also has an absorption issue. It is pointless to supplement calcium if it is not absorbed. The key is to provide adequate amounts of vitamin D. The best way to do this is through sun exposure. It can be said that vitamin D deficiency rickets is not just a lack of calcium but also a lack of "sunshine." 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin is converted into vitamin D through exposure to ultraviolet light, which promotes calcium absorption and strengthens the bones. The specific circumstances should be determined based on the season. Baby skin is delicate and should be protected. In summer, it is advisable to stay in shaded areas, use umbrellas, or expose the baby to the sun when it is rising or setting. In spring and autumn, parents can take their children outdoors to play regularly.
Dear mothers, do you understand the reasons for slow teething in babies now? Take care of your baby's teething discomfort!
