Why doesn't a 1-year-old baby have teeth?

I understand if your baby not having teeth yet has been worrying you. But this situation isn't as rare as you might think.

A 1-year-old not having started teething is usually just a normal variation. Most babies get their first tooth between 6-12 months, but some completely healthy babies can have theirs come in as late as 15-18 months. Genetics are the biggest factor — if you or your partner had delayed teething, your baby may follow the same pattern.

Most pediatricians don't consider the lack of teeth before 18 months a cause for concern. Here's what you can do: check your baby's overall development (walking, talking, weight gain) — if those are normal, it's enough to mention this at your next pediatric visit. Gently feel your baby's gums with your finger — sometimes you can feel a slight swelling under the gum when a tooth is about to emerge, though this doesn't always show up right away.

If your baby's weight gain has slowed, they're refusing solid foods, or there's another developmental delay, I'd recommend seeing your pediatrician — but teething delay alone is usually not a red flag.