My Baby doesn’t have teeth yet – can he still eat?
Many parents wonder if starting baby foods before their child has their first tooth is okay or even safe. After all, we chew our food with our molars. However, this is unnecessary, as we don’t chew with our front teeth (the ones babies get first) anyways! Also, the gum surface is very hard, and babies can break apart many foods with just their gums.
The schedule of when teeth come in can depend on many things, and genetics can account for most of when a child will start to get their first teeth. Most children begin to have their first teeth (the central incisors, or middle two teeth on the top and bottom) come in between 5 to 8 months of age. Next, the lateral incisors (next to the first teeth, making four teeth on the top and four on the bottom) typically erupt between 7 to 10 months. The first molars (also known as the 1st year molars) come in around 12 to 16 months. The cuspids (or canines, the pointy teeth) generally come in around 14 to 16 months, and then the second molars (also known as the second-year molars) tend to come in around 20 to 32 months of age.
If a child’s teeth come in later, it does not mean that it will delay their feeding development. You do not need actual teeth to break up foods until you start to eat the foods that need grinding and shredding (i.e., steak or a celery stick). Until foods require shredding with the teeth, the gums are perfectly capable of breaking up the foods!
When babies put toys in their mouths (and start to chew on different foods), this can help with the teething process. The more a baby puts in their mouth, the more they break down their gum which helps the tooth poke through the gum surface. Consider creating a collection of stick-shaped teething items that your child can safely chew on, such as these favorites:
Baby Teethers
- Sophie the Giraffe Teether
- Baconease AppeTeethers
- Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
- Nuby Wacky Teething Ring
- Sassy Flutterby
- Zoli Chubby Gummy Massager
Baby Toothbrushes
- Gerber Healthy Start Training Toothbrush Set
- Baby Banana Brush – Original Sharky, Banana, or Corn
- Nuk Grins & Giggles 3 sided toothbrush
- Farber Baby Toothbrush
- Cactus Baby Toothbrush
Have a comment or question?
We are always happy to answer any questions that this brings up for you. We also love to get feedback and hear your comments. Please feel free to contact us with either your questions or comments.