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Saturday, November 2, 2013

31 for 21 Challenge: Day Twenty Seven. Teething Chart

This is a chart indicating a 'typical' teething schedule:


Primary teeth are also called baby teeth or deciduous teeth.
There are a total of 20 primary teeth:
     8 incisors
     4 canines
     8 molars
The begin to erupt from the gums at 6-7 months.
Eruption of baby teeth should be complete by age 3 or it is considered atypical.
According to research, children with Down Syndrome (DS) tend to demonstrate a delay in primary teeth eruption.  Not only is eruption often delayed, but teeth often follow an abnormal sequence.  In some children with DS, eruption may not begin until age 2.  Complete eruption (of all 20 primary teeth) may be delayed until age 4 or 5.
Here's another 'typical' chart for tooth eruption:

Average times of tooth eruption



Upper teethLower teeth
Primary teeth
Central incisors8-13 months6-10 months
Lateral incisors8-13 months10-16 months
Canines (cuspids)16-23 months16-23 months
First molars13-19 months13-19 months
Second molars25-33 months23-31 months
Permanent teeth
Central incisors7-8 years6-7 years
Lateral incisors8-9 years7-8 years
Canines (cuspids)11-12 years9-10 years
First premolars (bicuspids)10-11 years10-12 years
Second premolars (bicuspids)10-12 years11-12 years
First molars6-7 years6-7 years
Second molars12-13 years11-13 years
Third molars17-21 years17-21 years
In a person with Down Syndrome, there may be numerous dental concerns.
A lot of people with DS have smaller upper jaws.  Their tongue may protrude causing the person to 'mouth-breathe.'  Upper and lower teeth may not fit together properly.  In a person with DS, teeth are often smaller and have more irregularities.  The delay of teeth may affect a parent's ability to introduce certain foods (as the child won't be able to chew adequately).  Sometimes teeth are missing or malformed.  I found surprising that the rate of tooth decay appears to be less frequent in a person with DS, though periodontal disease is still possible.
When we had Jesse, he was the only one from whom we could gather a baseline.  As luck would have it (lol), Jesse was very quick to teeth.  He got his first tooth at 3 months old; he had all the teeth of a two year old on his FIRST birthday.  So, five years later, it is no surprise that he has lost two baby teeth, gained two adult teeth in addition to 3 of his 4 six year molars.
I would have to guess that James was "average" in his teething though I don't recall a lot of specifics.  His teething seemed slow because Jesse was "unusually" quick.
When Josiah was seen by dental in June (he was 8 months old), he hadn't developed any teeth yet.  The dentist said to us, "Don't be surprised if Josiah doesn't get any teeth until well after his first birthday."  I think Josiah was listening.  I think he abruptly decided to prove the 'expert' wrong.  (This seems to be a favorite past-time of Josiah's).
Over the summer, age 9/10 months, he gained his two lower central incisors ('normal range' 6-10 months).  Last week, age 11 months, he gained his first upper canine ('normal range' 16-23 months).  Yesterday, days shy of 1 year, he sprouted his two upper central incisors ('normal range' 8-13 months) AND one upper lateral incisor ('normal range' 8-13 months). 
I've said from the beginning (even while pregnant), Josiah is going to surprise people.  He will accomplish more than anyone can even dream!  Look out world!!!  Here comes Josiah :)
"Don't underestimate me!  I would never do that to you."
- unknown author

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