Timing of primary tooth emergence among U.S. racial and ethnic groups

Abstract

Objectives: To compare timing of tooth emergence among groups of American Indian (AI), Black and White children in the United States at 12 months of age. Methods: Data were from two sources – a longitudinal study of a Northern Plains tribal community and a study with sites in Indiana, Iowa and North Carolina. For the Northern Plains study, all children (n = 223) were American Indian, while for the multisite study, children (n = 320) were from diverse racial groups. Analyses were limited to data from examinations conducted within 30 days of the child's first birthday. Results: AI children had significantly more teeth present (Mean: 7.8, Median: 8.0) than did Whites (4.4, 4.0, P < 0.001) or Blacks (4.5, 4.0, P < 0.001). No significant differences were detected between Black and White children (P = 0.58). There was no significant sex difference overall or within any of the racial groups. Conclusions: Tooth emergence occurs at a younger age for AI children than it does for contemporary White or Black children in the United States.