How teeth come through, step by step

An upset tummy, crying, constant dribbling and sometimes even a temperature tend to be the main symptoms that signal the beginning of teething.

There is no "fixed" time for a child to cut their first tooth. Generally, the process usually begins between the sixth and seventh month, although it is normal to have to wait until fourteen months. Only if it takes longer than this should you take your little one to the dentist.

Delayed teething is hardly ever due to the child's diet, but rather to genetic factors or rare diseases of the bones or nails, which can also interfere with teething.

What order do they follow?

- First the bottom middle incisors come through.

- They are followed by the corresponding top teeth.

- Then the upper and lower incisors appear on either side.

- The first molars (top and bottom) come in between 14 and 20 months.

- These are followed by the canines (top and bottom) and the second molars.

- Generally, children have their full set of milk teeth between 24 and 30 months.

How does a tooth form?

From the sixth month of pregnancy, the mother's body transforms certain salts (calcium, fluoride, phosphorus) into tooth buds. So when the baby is born, the teeth are already there under the gums.