Dental question??????????/

[tornadoxs2]

My son Benjamin 18 months DS got his first two bottom teeth at about 16 months and now he has two upper teeth but not the front 2 i thought it was weird and called my daughters dentist and took him there today he referred me to a pediatric dentist i was wondering if anyone elses children had this? With my other 2 children they got their bottom 2 front teeth then their 2 upper front teeth and so on, but Ben doesn't have his front upper teeth yet?

Charissa

[Valerie]

My son's teeth came in pretty much in the "normal" pattern, but I think that may be "abnormal" for kids with DS. From what I understand, they can come in very odd patterns, be delayed in eruption, and may even be missing teeth.

[momofrussell]

Delayed eruptions and odd patterns of eruptions are common in the DS community

A.

[Kristin]

Our pediactric dentist said there isn't much he can do until all of Clarice's permanent teeth come in. Then we're off to orthodontics! Her teeth came in at odd times, but otherwise, look pretty good.

[wrblack]

Just FYI, a snip from www.ds-health.com/dental.htm
Dental Care for the Patient with Down Syndrome
by Dr. Elizabeth S. Pilcher

<< The eruption of teeth in persons with Down syndrome is usually delayed and may occur in an unusual order. (Mussig et al, 1990; Fisher-Brandeis, 1989). The delay in eruption may be as long as two to three years. Although independence in feeding and the introduction of food is encouraged in the toddler with Down syndrome, the diet may need to be altered because there are not enough teeth to chew some foods. There is an extremely high rate of missing teeth in both the primary and permanent dentitions. Other irregularities such as microdontia and malformed teeth may be seen. However, in an oral cavity with undersized bone structure, microdontia and missing teeth may be more of a blessing than a problem. Severe crowding can occur in persons with Down syndrome who have developed all of their permanent dentition (Ondarza et al, 1995). In these cases, selective extractions under the supervision of an orthodontist may be of benefit.

The roots of the teeth in patients with Down syndrome tend to be small and conical. This is an important factor when considering orthodontic tooth movement and also contributes to early tooth loss in periodontal disease. >>

I believe Dr. Pilcher is a dentist with a child with Ds. -- Bob

[ValerieC]

Alethea began her teething issues as a typical child would only later. Her first tooth erupted at 10 months. The front came in typically and then the rest were sporadic.

Her left canine tooth is double pointed, and it erupted sometime last spring to early summer. Her right canine tooth is still to be seen, but she has or has begun to emerge most of her molars.

Valerie C

[marisa]

Laura is almost 18 months old and has almost all her teeth, which I think is very uncommon. She is missing 4 teeth, one on each side between front and canine (does that make sense?). I do not think these teeth are going to come in because there is no room for them. I guess we will just wait to see. She is already getting her 2 year molars, which is obviously early. I have noticed Laura's teeth are very sharp! Not sure if that is DS related or Laura related. There is probably nothing wrong with the way Ben's teeth are coming in, but I am all for having a specialist evaluate to give piece of mind.

Marisa

[andrewsmom]

Andrew is 19 months and just began getting teeth last month. He got 2 upper molars first, one on the upper left side and one on the upper right. Then 2 bottom front, one front upper and I noticed today he is getting one on the back bottom. Hey, I was just happy to finally see teeth in there. I thought we would never be able to eat anything other then mashed up foods! LOL!!!

[hannahsmomuk]

Hannah got her first one when she was 15mths old and it was a molar

I can remember asking someone in the hospital about this and they said that our kids teeth usually don't come through in the correct order and come through alot later

It is certainly true for Hannah. She does have all her teeth now but she got her molars first then her top incisors then front bottom, front top and finally bottom incisors

[rjmom95]

I have a 10yr old son with DS, and he is going under general anesthesia to have his dental work done tomorrow in my office, I've been doing this since he turned 3 yrs, I've worked in a dental office now for 21 yrs and when I first had RJ I was concerned with his teeth also because he was also delayed on the upper( which he didn't get till he was 2yrs old) but my dentist explained everything to me that DS children are usually delayed in that manner, and he give me some books to read, but this was a while back so I don't remember the names, but don't worry they will come out in there own time, my son is doing great and he's going through his baby teeth now were there falling out and his perm one's are coming in, they were also delayed in falling out but it does happen, were just waiting now for all his perm to come in and to start him on braces (Ortho) not sure what I'm going to experience then but I'll let you know when it happens. Maria & RJ

[Renee']

Laurens teeth came in "abnormal"
When she lost her two bottom teeth the replacement teeth were right there too.