Baby Talk - 9/13/18

The tooth buds develop during the second trimester of pregnancy. Later the roots start to grow, forcing the crown up, putting pressure on the tissue, and cutting through the gum. Baby teeth generally follow an established developmental process.

• Bottom central incisors, located at front of the mouth, usually arrive between 6 and 10 months of age.

• Upper central incisors, or the front two top teeth, follow at 8 to 12 months of age.

• Upper lateral incisors, left and right of the top two front teeth, arrive next at about 9 to 13 months.

• Lower lateral incisors, left and right of the bottom two front teeth, erupt between 10 and 16 months.

• All of this is followed by the molars, with the first set arriving between 13 and 19 months and the second set appearing between 25 and 33 months.

• Finally, the canines arrive after 22 months, often being the last teeth to erupt.

No need to worry if your little one does not follow this timeline exactly. It is not uncommon for the first tooth to come in as early as 4 months or as late as one year. Regardless of when those first pearly whites arrive, it is recommended that baby see the dentist six months after the first tooth erupts or at the age of one year, whichever comes first.

What tips do you have for teething babies and their moms? Please, share.