Tooth Tales: Why My Smile Tells Its Own Story 🦷😊

My developmental delays affect me in many ways, but one of the most unusual? My teeth!

I’m 12 years old and still have four baby teeth in my mouth. Yup—baby teeth! Most kids lose all of theirs by age 10 or so, but I like to keep things interesting. My teeth decided to grow in their own unique order. My very first ones came in around 15 months old—and they were my molars! Not the usual bottom front teeth most babies get first. Then came my upper front teeth, and after that, my bottom teeth finally made an appearance.

It was weird, I know. But guess what? It didn’t stop me from doing anything.

I smile big, I eat all my favorite foods (well, most of them), and I still flash my grin like it’s made of gold. My smile is one of the first things people notice about me, and it’s part of what makes me me—even if it took its sweet time showing up.

Developmental delays can affect things like speech, movement, and yes—even teeth. But delays aren’t the same as “can’t.” They just mean “not yet.” And in my case, they mean I’ve got a smile story that’s way cooler than most.

One thing that’s super important for people with Down syndrome—especially with our unique dental journeys—is seeing the dentist regularly. I go every six months like clockwork. It wasn’t always easy, but over the years I’ve gotten used to it. The dentist checks my gums, teeth alignment, and makes sure nothing unusual is going on in my mouth. Dental visits are extra important for people with Down syndrome because we can be more prone to issues like gum disease or delayed tooth eruption. So keeping up with those appointments helps my smile stay strong and healthy!

So whether your teeth showed up late, early, or in a totally wacky order—embrace it. Because every smile tells a story, and mine is just getting started. 😄