Most babies have their first teeth by the time they are 4 months old, but others take longer and usually get them when they turn 7 months old. Some babies may have a rather slow teething schedule, which is why it is possible for your baby to have no teeth at 8 months. However, it is quite normal to feel concerned when you do not see your baby get their first tooth for long enough, but you usually do not need to worry much about the issue.

No Teeth at 8 Months, Should You Be Worried?

No, you should not. The age at which babies get their first tooth varies a lot. As mentioned already, most babies get it around six months, but other extremes are also possible. For instance, some babies have a tooth at birth, while others may not have any on their first birthday. It means that if your baby has no teeth at 8 months, the chances are they are just taking their time. They will eventually have their teeth, so you do not need to worry much. Interestingly, experts believe that if you or your husband had their first teeth late, your baby is likely to take their time to cut that first tooth.

What Moms Got to Say

"I believe you do not need to worry if you see no teeth at 8 months. My daughter – 8 months now – started teething when she was only 3 months old. My doctor has allowed me to give her both stages, along with Zweiback toast, biter biscuits, and puffs. My doctor has also mentioned that it is better for babies to have their teeth late, so you do not really need to worry here."

"My baby is now 8 months and 2 weeks old and she still has no teeth. Interestingly, she is in love with finger foods, such as cereals and cut up foods, such as potato, sweet potato, tofu, chickpeas, and avocado. In the beginning, we used water to make the cereal as mushy as possible, but she is doing just fine now with the regular cereal. She has already started walking as well."

"My baby girl is almost 8 months and still toothless. I do not see her have any problems in terms of eating her food. She is growing just fine as well. She has a 7-8 word vocabulary and can crawl with ease. Those teeth have not shown up yet, but I am not worried and patiently waiting."

When Is the Delay Considered Abnormal?

There is usually nothing serious when you see no teeth at 8 months, but you may want to talk to a dentist if your little one has no teeth at the age of 18 months. Some babies take longer to have teeth – it could be as late as 15 months; however, any later than this is considered abnormal. Most children have at least four teeth when they are 11 months old, and get 12 teeth by the time they are 19 months old. Most children begin to have permanent teeth around six years of age. If that is not the case, talk to your dentist for advice.

Can Delayed Tooth Eruption Cause Other Problems?

In most cases, delayed tooth eruption does not indicate any serious problem. However, it certainly exposes your little one to a high risk of dental issues. Some studies have shown that children with late tooth eruption are more likely to require dental treatment by the time they are 3 years old. Still, you do not need to feel alarmed if your baby is taking longer to have their first tooth – take this as an opportunity to enjoy their gummy smile for a bit longer.

4 Foods to Feed Your 8 Months Baby with No Teeth

When you see no teeth at 8 months, it is natural to worry about what to give to your little angel. Here are some food options for you to consider:

1. Fruits and Veggies

You will find a long list of fruits and vegetables that you can select for your baby with no teeth. The vibrant color of fruits and veggies make them a great choice for most babies. Be sure to introduce veggies before fruit because they are not as sweet as fruit. Avoid harder veggies and fruits, such as celery, carrots, or apples. You can opt for baked sweet potatoes, yams, or squash. You can buy fruit baby food, but ensure that it does not contain any fillers or preservatives. Whatever you select, be sure to make fruit and veggies purees for comfortable eating.

2. Grain Products

Your baby is usually all set to digest a very small amount of grain food at 8 months, so you can certainly try some grain products at this time. You can try commercial baby cereals that are also fortified with iron. Be sure to check and follow any age recommendations mentioned on the packaging. You can express breast milk into the cereal if you have not yet introduced formula to your baby. After some time, you can also add other grains to your baby's meals. Rice congee, cream of wheat, oat bran, and quinoa are some good options to consider.

3. Meat and Alternatives

 You can opt for protein foods by the time your baby is nine months old. When not sure, you should talk to your pediatrician to know if it is the right time to introduce protein foods to your baby's diet. You can opt for tofu or egg yolk here because they also help treat lack of dentition. Tofu is a great choice because it also provides your baby with magnesium, calcium, and protein.

4. Dairy and Alternatives

Not all infants show signs of self-weaning at eight months. You do not need to worry about anything if your baby is breastfeeding regularly. You can introduce cow's milk when your child is just under 2 years of age – do not opt for whole milk though and opt for 2% milk fat only.