Do Baby Growth Spurts Affect the Development of Teeth?

Growth spurts in infants are a rapid period of physical growth in height and weight within a short amount of time. These growth spurts are a normal part of a baby’s development and continue throughout childhood and puberty. Every child is different and how fast and often they grow can vary. Growth spurts will continue until they reach maturity (which ranges from the age of 15-20 according to the Cleveland Clinic). Infants experience the most rapid physical growth during the first two years into toddlerhood and can grow up to ten inches in height and triple their weight during the first year of life alone. No wonder babies are always eating or sleeping! By the time your child reaches five years of age, they will have doubled their height from birth.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, growth spurts mostly occur when a baby is two to three weeks old, around six weeks old, and again, approximately three months. During a growth spurt, it's normal for babies to want to nurse all the time. If you are breastfeeding, try to avoid feeding your baby any other liquids or foods. They suggest breastfeeding as the only food your baby needs for about the first six months.

Baby growth spurts also commonly occur at six and nine months of age, when you can start feeding your baby other liquids and foods. Besides an uptick in hunger, other common signs of a growth spurt in your baby include the following:

• Fussiness or irritability
• Sleeping a lot more than usual during the day
• Not being able to sleep at night

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, growth spurts can happen every few weeks or months throughout development. Since each child is different and will develop at their own pace, they may not follow the typical timeline for growth spurts. If your baby is eating more, hungry all the time and sleeping more during the day it could signal a growth spurt. The ages you can usually expect infant growth spurts are from 7-10 days old, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Don’t be too concerned about when growth spurts during infancy take place as your pediatrician will keep track of your baby’s progress at each visit. Growth factors depend on the sex of your child and hereditary factors.

Fussiness and sleeplessness are common signs of teething. Still, unlike a growth spurt, babies sometimes lose their appetite during this stage of growth. Kids usually develop their first teeth between four and six months, with the two bottom middle teeth (central incisors) generally appearing between six and 10 months. The upper central incisors usually emerge between eight and 12 months.

Between the ages of nine and 13 months, according to the American Dental Association, the teeth to the right and left of the center incisors (also known as lateral incisors) develop, usually starting with the top teeth. The first molars typically appear between 13 and 19 months, with the teeth between the lateral incisors and first molar (called canines or cuspids) coming in between 16 and 23 months. The last teeth to come in are the lower and upper second molars, between 23 and 33 months.

Based on the standard times for growth spurts and teething, a baby between six and 12 months can go through both at the same time. One way to help a teething baby is to something firm to chew on, such as a clean teething ring. While it would be ideal to experience teething or a growth spurt separately, they sometimes happen at the same time! Calming a fussy baby who's feeling the discomfort of their baby teeth pushing up to the surface can be a challenge, especially if they weather a growth spurt at the same time.

For fussiness, try distracting your baby with play. Rocking your baby in a chair, swing, stroller, or car seat are great ways to soothe your baby with motion. Background noise, such as a fan, white noise machine, or music, helps some children. For more suggestions, talk to other parents who have dealt with growth spurts and teething, as well as their pediatrician or dental professional. Even if you're feeling frazzled, remember that this phase is temporary!

Both the ADA and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that you start to clean your baby's teeth as soon as they appear. You can use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush that's made for babies and brush gently with a smear of fluoride toothpaste – an amount the size of a grain of rice – until your child reaches the age of three.

It can be alarming to watch your baby experience growth spurts just as you feel you're getting into a good feeding or sleep schedule. But consider this time with your baby as precious; it goes by fast! Even though teething and growth spurts happening simultaneously can be a lot to deal with at once, it's an exciting time for watching your baby grow, begin to develop their own unique personality, and slowly see their first tooth-filled smile appear!

• Each baby is different and follows their own unique path to growth.
• Boy and girl babies usually grow at different rates.
• If your baby is hungry all the time, fussy and sleeping during the day it might signal a growth spurt. 
• Teething can also make children fussy and change sleeping habits but usually your baby’s appetite will decrease.
• Infants experience the most growth spurts during the first year of life at 7-10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months.
• By the age of one, your baby will have grown ten inches in height and tripled their weight from birth. 
• Babies usually cut their first teeth between the ages of 4 and 6 months and may experience a growth spurt at the same time.
• Bottom teeth usually come in next at about 6-10 months of age. 
• You should start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they come in with a soft-bristled toothbrush and smear of fluoride toothpaste.

Teething and growth spurts often go hand in hand which can be a lot for your infant and you to deal with. If it’s teething, try providing your child with something to chew on like a cool teething ring, take them out for a car ride or in the stroller to distract them, and try to remember that it won’t last forever.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.