When should I genuinely begin to worry about the prospect of my child’s permanent teeth not coming in as expected? It’s a perplexing and often distressing situation for many parents. As we navigate the myriad milestones of childhood, the emergence of permanent teeth is typically anticipated with some excitement. However, what happens when those teeth seem to lag behind in their arrival? Should you be concerned if their friends are flaunting their shiny new teeth while your child remains toothless? At what point does the absence of these crucial dental developments indicate a potential issue? Could it be a mere delay in eruption, or something more concerning like an underlying dental anomaly or genetic predisposition? How can parents discern between normal variations in dental development and significant dental health concerns? Is there a robust timeline you should refer to, or might there be red flags indicating the necessity of a dental consult?