Teething delay: Should parents worry?

The first time I flip, talk, walk or teething… always bring endless happiness for my parents. So when children see a slow teething, parents often worry to find out the cause to solve the problem. This delayed teething is sometimes just hereditary, but sometimes it is due to a medical condition.  

Usually, a baby's first tooth appears when a baby is about 6 months old, but the time of teething can vary in many babies. However, if the baby is over 13 months old and still has not had the first tooth, it can be considered a delayed teething. Let's join aFamilyToday Health to find out why babies are slow to teething and how to effectively handle them in this case!

Cause slow teething children

If, after 13 months, your baby has not yet grown his first tooth, you need to consider whether this is due to the cause

1. Teething delay is due to hereditary

Genetic factors have effects and can be a cause of delayed teething in a baby. If a relative, especially those with a close blood relationship like grandparents or parents is also slow to teething, often the child will also be able to slow teething.

You should ask your parents, relatives if there is anyone in the family who has teething problems . If so, there is a chance that the teething delay is due to a genetic factor.

2. The baby teething due to lack of nutrition

If your baby does not get enough breastmilk or formula milk or because the formula itself does not provide the nutrients the baby needs, he or she may be deficient and lead to delayed teething. A child's ability to absorb nutrition in the early stages of life is also very important. Some children are able to absorb nutrients poorly, so they are also susceptible to nutrient deficiency.

Breast milk contains the amount of calcium that babies need for the growth and development of bones and teeth. Formula milk also often contains calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A , C, D to help boost immunity, support the comprehensive development of the child. Calcium is essential for strong teeth, so you should breastfeed enough for your baby to have enough of it. If you give your baby formula milk, choose milk containing enough calcium for your baby.

3. Children slow teething due to hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormone needed for the body to function properly. Hypothyroidism often affects the heart rate, metabolism and body temperature. If your child shows signs of hypothyroidism, teething, slow walking and speech delays may occur.

What are symptoms of delayed teething?

Most children will be full when they reach adulthood. However, teething problems can be potential problems that can affect their teeth in the future. Some of the symptoms children may experience include:

- Caries. The fact is that under-gum teeth can develop cavities, over time tooth decay can affect other teeth.

- The child's permanent teeth are not normally developed, such as deviated teeth .

- Binary teeth condition caused by permanent teeth coming out at the same time as baby teeth grow slowly.

- Difficult to chew and eat solid foods. Teeth are essential to help children chew food and enjoy food.

How to treat teething babies

There is a way that parents can do to supplement calcium and other nutrients for their children if they find that the baby is slow to teething.

• Supplementing nutrition for mothers: During breastfeeding, mothers need to have a healthy, balanced diet, avoid excessive abstinence causing nutritional deficiencies. Mother should stay focused on foods rich in calcium , vitamin D and should drink more milk if needed. Adequate nutrition will help mothers have enough milk to feed their babies and the quality of breastmilk to meet the baby's needs.

• Nutritional supplement for the baby: If the baby milk formula, you select the appropriate formula combines solid foods properly .

• Sunbathing for children: Both mother and baby need a full supplement of vitamin D to assist in calcium absorption. This vitamin is synthesized under the skin when exposed to the sun, so mothers and babies need to sunbathe at reasonable times to ensure there is no vitamin D deficiency.

When do you need to take a baby with delayed teething to visit?

First, you need to ask close family members (especially those with close blood relations) to determine whether a baby has a delay in teething due to genetics. If no one in the family has teething problems, parents should watch for other signs such as the child's weight gain, eating, sleep ... to see if the child is retarded. Many people consider the delay in teething shows that they are intelligent, but this is not true. If the teething baby shows signs of abnormal growth such as wheezing, constipation, or has an irregular heartbeat, take him or her to the doctor.

If the child is 13 months old and still has not grown the first tooth, parents need to see the pediatrician. Your pediatrician will help determine the cause of your baby's slow teething, such as lack of substance, hypothyroidism or other causes. Your doctor may also perform a variety of tests, including an X-ray to determine the cause and provide prompt intervention.

Parents please refer to the article " Children with teething fever: Causes and signs of identification " for more information.

aFamilyToday Health  does not offer medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.