Baby teeth can erupt in children at different rates and during periods of growth. It can be easy to worry that your toddler's teeth may not be growing in correctly and that tooth development may be delayed. There are many ways to tell if your toddler's teeth development is delayed, which can help you to know how your child's development is progressing.
Instructions
1. Note if your child was premature. Premature children will be delayed in most of their developmental milestones. This includes tooth development and tooth eruption. If your child was born early, even slightly early, he may not develop baby teeth at the same rate as other children his age.
2. Evaluate your toddler's diet. Make sure that your child is eating a diet rich in proteins and vitamins. If your toddler is deficient in nutrients that help bone and tooth development, such as vitamin D, then it could delay her tooth development and tooth eruption. If you are concerned that your toddler may not be getting the vitamins and nutrients that she needs, consider supplementing her diet with a multivitamin.
3. Consult you doctor. If you are unsure about whether your toddler's teeth development is delayed, your doctor can examine her. Your physician can tell you if your child's teeth are developing normally by checking growth charts, blood and investigating his diet further. This can be a way to find out for certain if your toddler's teeth are developing normally.
4. Consult a pediatric dentist. If your toddler will sit still and have X-rays taken of her mouth, you can see where the teeth are located inside her gums, and can detect any malformations or delays in tooth growth. A pediatric dentist will have charts and graphs that you can look at that will show how an average toddler's teeth are developing, and can help you determine if there might be ways you can promote better dental health.
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