A first-time mother calls the pediatrician’s office to ask the nurse about her baby’s tooth eruption. The baby is 8 months old and still does not have any teeth. What information can the nurse share with this mother that would correctly respond to her anxiety about her baby’s dentition?

Choice A reason: Fever and stuffy nose are not reliable indicators of teething and may signal illness. Genetic variation explains delayed eruption in an 8-month-old, making this misleading and incorrect for addressing the mother’s anxiety about her baby’s lack of teeth in the phone consultation. Choice B reason: Requiring x-rays if no teeth erupt by 9 months is premature, as teeth can appear up to 12 months normally. Genetic factors reassure without unnecessary tests, making this alarmist and incorrect for responding to the mother’s dentition concerns about her 8-month-old baby. Choice C reason: Tooth eruption varies genetically, with some babies teething later (up to 12 months) without issue. This explanation reassures the mother about her 8-month-old’s delayed dentition, aligning with pediatric dental norms, making it the correct information to alleviate her anxiety effectively. Choice D reason: Stating teeth should erupt by 8-10 months is inaccurate, as normal eruption can occur up to 12 months. Genetic variability better addresses the mother’s concern, making this incorrect, as it risks heightening anxiety with a rigid timeline for the baby’s tooth eruption.