Unusual tooth development
A child's first set of teeth, called primary teeth, usually begin
erupting
at about 6 months of age, although
teething can begin as early as 3 months of age. Some
babies do not get their first tooth until after 12 months of age. In rare
cases, the first tooth erupts as late as 16 months of age. It is extremely rare
for a baby to have congenitally missing teeth, which is when primary teeth fail
to develop at all.
Occasionally a baby will have a tooth at birth. This tooth usually does not have a root system and may fall out by itself. If it does not, it may need to be removed by a doctor to prevent possible choking.
A baby can sometimes develop an extra primary tooth, most often an extra third bicuspid or fourth molar. An extra tooth may interfere with eruption of the permanent one underneath and should be removed.
| Author | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Last Updated | August 15, 2007 |
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