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 teeth	Lower teeth
Primary teeth
Central incisors	8-13 months	6-10 months
Lateral incisors	8-13 months	10-16 months
Canines (cuspids)	16-23 months	16-23 months
First molars	13-19 months	13-19 months
Second molars	25-33 months	23-31 months
Permanent teeth
Central incisors	7-8 years	6-7 years
Lateral incisors	8-9 years	7-8 years
Canines (cuspids)	11-12 years	9-10 years
First premolars (bicuspids)	10-11 years	10-12 years
Second premolars (bicuspids)	10-12 years	11-12 years
First molars	6-7 years	6-7 years
Second molars	12-13 years	11-13 years
Third molars	17-21 years	17-21 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