Weight, Height, and Eruption of Deciduous Teeth

Abstract

The eruption of deciduous teeth, typically beginning around the first year of life, is a critical milestone in early childhood development. Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is pivotal for the proper development of deciduous teeth. This review aims to examine existing literature on the relationship between weight, height, and the eruption of deciduous teeth. The search strategy was conducted across databases, such as PubMed and Scopus. A total of 142 articles were initially identified from the databases and after screened for duplicates, eligibility and relevance, six articles were included in this review. The timing of the first deciduous tooth eruption ranges from 7.9-10.1 months for underweight children, 7.8-8.7 months for normal weight children, and 6.3-8.2 months for overweight children. Children with short stature experienced their first deciduous tooth eruption between 8.8-9 months, which is considered late compared to children with normal stature (7.4-8.9 months) and tall stature (6.7-8.1 months). Despite variations in methodologies, classifications, and timings of weight and height measurement, the studies reviewed consistently demonstrate that children with underweight or short stature experience delayed deciduous tooth eruption compared to their normal-weight and normal-height peers. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms linking birth weight, height, and tooth eruption, as well as to develop effective interventions that can mitigate the adverse effects of poor nutrition on dental and overall health.