First, our article addresses a common and important phenomenon in children’s development, which is the delayed appearance of permanent teeth in children, as this topic is considered pivotal in the child’s development journey, as it can raise the concerns of parents and constitute a source of health concern that deserves attention, as understanding this phenomenon and the factors that influence it can contribute to alleviating anxiety and directing families to the right actions to support their children’s development and in this article, we will explore the causes of delayed eruption of permanent teeth, their potential effects on children’s oral and general health, as well as important guidelines for dealing with this situation effectively.
When is the appearance of teeth considered late?
It cannot be confirmed that your child is suffering from delayed eruption of permanent teeth unless there are certain symptoms and if the child does not have any teeth when he reaches the age of 18 months, parents should go to the pediatrician for consultation and evaluation and through a medical evaluation, the doctor may decide to refer the child to a pediatric dentist, as the normal period for the appearance of the first tooth is considered to be between four and 15 months, followed by the appearance of the rest of the teeth on a regular basis and by the age of 11 months, babies may have four teeth, eight teeth by the 15th month, 12 teeth by the 19th month, 16 teeth by the 23rd month, and 20 teeth by the 27th month.
Reasons for the delayed appearance of permanent teeth
Delayed eruption of permanent teeth in children may be the result of several different factors, the most important of which are:
Lack of space in the jaw: This is a very common reason for the delayed eruption of permanent teeth and when there is not enough space in the jaw to accommodate permanent teeth, the tooth may not be able to appear normally, as permanent teeth are larger than baby teeth, so the inability to erupt may occur after the baby teeth fall out, which sometimes leads to permanent teeth developing under the gums.
Improper tooth development: This occurs when teeth grow in the wrong direction, especially in the lower lateral teeth and upper canines.
Losing baby teeth prematurely: Losing baby teeth prematurely may lead to a delay in the appearance of permanent teeth.
Increased gum thickness: Increased gum thickness can make it difficult for permanent teeth to penetrate.
The presence of extra teeth: Extra teeth may prevent permanent teeth from appearing normally, causing crowding and a change in the position of the teeth.
Failure to extract baby teeth: In some cases, the loss of baby teeth is difficult and may require medical intervention, which leads to a delay in the appearance of permanent teeth.
Some medical conditions: Delayed eruption of permanent teeth may be due to health problems such as rickets, hypothyroidism, fibrous dysplasia, and Down syndrome, but these are rare cases.
Fusion of teeth to bone: In this case, it is difficult for permanent teeth to appear normally.
Genetic factors: Genes may play a role in the delayed appearance of permanent teeth.
Malnutrition: A lack of nutrients may affect the development of permanent teeth in children.
What are the methods of treating delayed appearance of permanent teeth in children?
Orthodontics: Orthodontics is considered one of the effective ways to treat the delayed appearance of permanent teeth and if there is not enough space for the permanent teeth to emerge or if they do not take the correct path during growth, the doctor directs the orthodontic process to make room for the permanent teeth to emerge, which helps direct them to their correct path and achieve balance in the jaw.
Extraction of some teeth: If there are extra teeth that prevent the appearance of permanent teeth, some teeth may need to be extracted to facilitate the natural appearance of permanent teeth.
Treating the underlying health problem: If there is any health problem affecting the appearance of permanent teeth, that problem must be treated immediately, as this treatment may be the main reason for the delayed appearance of teeth.
Surgical intervention: In some severe cases, the solution may be surgical intervention to help permanent teeth appear correctly.
Ways to prevent delayed tooth appearance in children
There are no specific preventive measures to avoid the delayed appearance of permanent teeth if the problem is caused by a problem in the jaw or genetic factors, however, it is recommended to keep the child well-nourished in the early stages of development, as this contributes to enhancing bone and dental health, and reduces the chances of malnutrition or mineral deficiency that may lead to delayed appearance of permanent teeth.
It is important to detect the problem early, as treatment becomes easier and more effective and therefore, you should not delay consulting a dentist to avoid exacerbating the problem.
In addition, parents are encouraged to record the dates when baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth appear in their children and this documentation makes it easier for the dentist to collect sufficient information that helps him provide appropriate treatment.
At the conclusion of our article about the delayed appearance of permanent teeth in children, we find that this topic is a source of concern for many parents, as understanding the possible causes and the necessary preventive and therapeutic measures is essential to maintaining the health and safety of our children and although some cases of delayed eruption of permanent teeth are normal and do not constitute a problem, early detection and taking the necessary measures can contribute to avoiding potential health problems in the future.
We invite you to continue to follow health advice and regular consultation with the dentist to ensure the health and safety of our children and that they enjoy beautiful laughs and strong teeth.
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