Q:
My son is almost 3 and only has about six teeth. I read somewhere that by age 2½ a child should have 20 primary teeth—10 on top and 10 on the bottom. Is this true?
A:
You're correct—the average child has 20 teeth by the time he's 3. But remember, this is an average. There are big variances among children. Still, I would recommend you bring your son to a dentist for an evaluation. He may have a congenital absence of teeth or there may be something preventing his teeth from erupting.
Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition.
