When you are tracking your baby’s milestones, the appearance of that first tiny tooth often feels like a significant developmental marker. It is natural for parents to compare notes with others or reference charts that suggest teething typically starts around six months of age. If your baby is nearing nine months, or even their first birthday, and their gums are still smooth, you might start feeling a pinch of concern.
If you are wondering why your baby’s teeth seem to be on a different schedule, please know that you are not alone. This is one of the most common questions new parents ask their pediatricians in 2026. The world of infant development is less like a rigid calendar and more like a broad timeline. For teething, that timeline is often much wider than parents realize.
As experienced parenting editors, our goal here is to provide calm, evidence-based reassurance. We will explore the wide spectrum of normal, discuss the factors that influence teething timing, and clarify exactly when delayed tooth eruption might warrant a deeper conversation with your healthcare provider.
Understanding the Teething Timeline: What’s “Average” vs. What’s “Normal”
Most charts illustrating infant development use averages derived from large populations. When it comes to primary teeth (often called baby teeth), the average age for the first tooth to appear is approximately six months. However, that word—average—is key. Half of all healthy babies will hit this milestone before six months, and half will hit it after.
It is entirely normal for the first tooth to appear anywhere between three months and twelve months. In fact, seeing the first tooth closer to 10 or 11 months is still firmly within the healthy range of development for many babies. When we discuss “late” teething, we are generally referring to a delay that extends significantly beyond the first birthday.
The Spectrum of Eruption
The timing of tooth arrival is incredibly variable. Think of it less as a race and more as an individual process guided by internal biological clocks. If your baby is happy, hitting other motor and cognitive milestones on time (like rolling, sitting, and responding to sounds), and developing well, the late arrival of teeth is rarely a cause for alarm.
- Early Bloomers: Some babies are born with teeth (natal teeth) or sprout their first tooth as early as three months.
- The Average: The majority of babies see their lower front incisors pop through around six months.
- The Late Developers: Many perfectly healthy babies do not show their first tooth until 10, 12, or even 15 months of age.
If your child is approaching 18 months without a single tooth, that benchmark typically signals the time to schedule a specific consultation with your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist to discuss underlying causes, though even this delay often resolves naturally.
Why Are My Baby’s Teeth Delayed? The Influencing Factors
If teething timing isn’t dictated by the calendar, what factors are actually in play? Understanding the causes can bring significant peace of mind, as the primary reasons for late tooth eruption are almost universally harmless and inherited.
1. Genetics and Family History
This is, overwhelmingly, the most common reason for late teething. If you, your partner, or close family members were “late teethers” as infants, there is a very high probability that your baby will follow a similar pattern. Ask your own parents or family members about their experiences.
Genetics dictate the pace of growth, including the rate at which teeth develop beneath the gums. Just as eye color or height potential is inherited, so too is the timing of teething.
2. Preterm Birth
Babies who were born prematurely often experience a slight delay in all their developmental milestones, including teething. Their timeline is often better gauged based on their adjusted age rather than their chronological age. A baby born two months early may logically begin teething two months later than a full-term baby.
3. Nutrition and Overall Health
While extremely rare in modern, developed countries, severe malnutrition or certain chronic illnesses can potentially slow down bone and tooth development. However, if your baby is under regular pediatric care and is growing steadily on their height and weight curves, nutrition is highly unlikely to be the cause of a mild delay in 2026.
4. Uncommon Underlying Conditions
While most late teething is purely genetic, in rare instances, a significant delay (past 18 months) can be associated with specific, often manageable, medical conditions such as certain types of glandular issues. Your pediatrician monitors for these conditions during standard checkups. If a professional suspects something unusual, they would look for a cluster of symptoms, not just the lack of teeth.
What Parents Can Safely Do While Waiting
Since the timing of tooth eruption is largely predetermined, there is no reliable or safe way to “speed up” the process. However, you can ensure your baby’s gums and oral environment are healthy and ready for when those little pearly whites do arrive.
Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene
Gum care should start well before the first tooth erupts. This practice helps establish healthy habits and keeps the mouth clean, which is important for preventing potential future decay.
- Wipe Gums Daily: Use a soft, damp cloth, a piece of gauze, or a silicone finger toothbrush to gently wipe down your baby’s gums at least twice a day, especially after the last feeding.
- Introduce Toothbrushing Early: Even without teeth, you can let your baby explore an infant toothbrush. This sensory experience helps them become accustomed to having an object in their mouth and prepares them for the real brushing routine.
Support Oral Motor Development
Encourage safe chewing and mouthing. This is beneficial for overall oral motor development, including strengthening the jaw and preparing for the introduction of textures during solids feeding.
- Safe Chewing Toys: Offer infant-safe teething toys that are easy to grip, ensuring they meet current safety standards (avoiding small parts and toxic materials).
- Cold Relief (If Needed): If your baby seems fussy or uncomfortable because the teeth are moving just beneath the surface (even if they haven’t broken through), a cold washcloth or a chilled, solid teething ring can sometimes provide comfort.
Safety Note: Always supervise babies closely while they are chewing or using teethers. Never tie a teether around a baby’s neck or hand, as this presents a strangulation risk.
What Not to Worry About (Dispelling Common Concerns)
Late teething often brings up unnecessary worries for parents. Let’s address a few common concerns:
Will Late Teething Affect Their Eating Schedule?
In most cases, no. Babies are highly adaptable. They rely on their strong gums for chewing and mashing food for many months. The AAP and pediatric nutritionists confirm that teeth are not strictly necessary for most solid foods. Babies can successfully gum soft meats, cooked vegetables, and fruits. Continue introducing appropriate textures as recommended by your pediatrician, regardless of their tooth count.
Does Late Teething Mean Weaker Teeth?
No. The timing of eruption is unrelated to the health or strength of the tooth enamel. A tooth that erupts at 12 months is just as strong as one that erupts at 6 months, assuming proper care and nutrition.
Will This Affect Their Speech?
Speech development relies heavily on tongue placement, lip control, and the ability to make specific sounds. While the front teeth can sometimes aid in producing certain ‘th’ or ‘s’ sounds, a minor delay in their appearance will not typically hinder overall speech development. Most babies develop speech sounds gradually throughout their second year, well after the initial incisors have appeared.
When to Consult the Pediatrician About Late Teeth
While the goal is always reassurance, there are specific benchmarks where consulting a medical professional is a smart, proactive step. Remember, you should always feel empowered to bring up any developmental concerns with your baby’s primary care provider, even if it’s just for peace of mind.
It is generally recommended to speak with your pediatrician if:
- No Teeth by 18 Months: If your baby is 18 months old in January 2026 and still has not shown any signs of a tooth emerging, this is the generally accepted milestone where a check-in is useful.
- Teething is Asymmetrical: If teeth are coming in, but there is a strange pattern, such as four teeth on one side and none on the other, or if a primary tooth is visually blocking another tooth.
- Associated Concerns: If the late teething is paired with other distinct developmental issues, growth challenges, or chronic health issues, the pediatrician may want to investigate the link.
- Gingival Swelling/Color Change: If you notice unusual or persistent swelling, deep color changes, or any non-healing lesions on the gums.
In these situations, your pediatrician may recommend an X-ray of the jaw to confirm that the dental buds (the undeveloped teeth) are present and positioned correctly beneath the gums. In the vast majority of cases, they will be present, just taking their time.
Preparing for the Pediatric Dentist
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that babies have their first dental visit either when the first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday (whichever comes first). If your baby’s teeth are late, you can still schedule this introductory visit around the first birthday milestone.
This early dental appointment serves several key functions, even without teeth present:
- It allows the dentist to examine the gums and jaw structure.
- They can provide personalized advice on oral hygiene and fluoride needs.
- The dentist can evaluate the readiness of the underlying teeth and discuss any developmental variations observed.
This proactive step ensures that you have established care and that any potential future issues are monitored by a specialist.
FAQ: Common Questions About Late Teething
Does late teething impact the spacing of adult teeth?
Usually, no. The timeline for primary teeth eruption is largely separate from the timeline for permanent (adult) teeth. Late baby teeth do not necessarily mean delayed adult teeth, and they do not predict the spacing of the permanent teeth, which is mostly determined by jaw size and genetics.
My baby’s first tooth came in the wrong order. Is that a problem?
The usual order is the lower central incisors first. However, deviations are extremely common and rarely signal an issue. If your baby gets a side tooth or a top tooth first, simply monitor the mouth; the rest of the teeth will typically follow their own unique pattern soon enough.
If my baby gets teeth late, will they keep them longer?
While there is some association, it’s not guaranteed. The body’s biological clock that governs when primary teeth fall out tends to be independent of when they arrived. However, a baby whose teeth come in late may sometimes start losing them a little later than average, keeping their baby teeth until age 7 or 8 instead of the average 6 years.
Should I give my baby extra vitamin D or calcium to help the teeth come in?
Never provide supplements to your baby without explicit instructions from your pediatrician. Your baby should receive adequate vitamin D and calcium through their formula or breast milk, as well as any standard vitamin D supplements already recommended by your doctor. Unless a true deficiency has been identified through testing, extra supplements are unnecessary and potentially harmful.
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The arrival of teeth is a perfect example of how individual and varied infant development truly is. Take a deep breath, trust your parenting instincts, and remind yourself that being a late teether is a normal, healthy variation of human development. Your baby will have a full, beautiful smile when their body decides the time is right.
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Friendly Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your baby’s health, growth, or development, please consult your pediatrician, a licensed healthcare provider, or a qualified pediatric dentist.