While it’s fairly rare, babies are sometimes born with teeth. Statistics differ depending on where you get your information, but anywhere between 1 out of 700 and 1 out of 3,000 babies born have natal teeth, teeth present at birth that normally develop on the lower gum. Most of the time, these are your child’s baby teeth coming in a bit earlier than usual, and other times, they’re an entirely different set of teeth, called supernumerary teeth. Here’s a deeper look at what this could mean.
Are Babies Born with Teeth a Cause for Concern?
Most of the time, natal teeth are nothing to be worried about. There are a few minor problems that can occur as a result of natal teeth, such as:
Discomfort for nursing mothers. If your baby’s teeth are retained, they may cause difficulty if you wish to breast-feed your baby. If it’s too painful initially, you may need to use a breast pump and bottle-feed. Your baby may also be conditioned not to “bite” during feeding if you do persist with breast-feeding.
Ulcers on the Underside of the Tongue. Sometimes the natal tooth will be sharp and can cause an ulcer to form on the underside of the tongue. This problem is known as Riga-Fede Syndrome. In this case, the dentist can smooth off the sharp edge of the natal tooth or add a small amount of white filling material to smooth out the tooth. Once the sharp edge of the tooth is gone, the ulcer usually resolves.
Loose Natal Teeth Can Be a Choking Hazard. Sometimes, these teeth present at birth are very loose, especially if they’re underdeveloped supernumerary teeth. This means they’ll move around a lot while your baby breathes and cries, and could come out and be inhaled through the mouth. If the teeth are especially loose, it’s a good idea to see the dentist.
When Do Baby Teeth Typically Come In?
Primary (baby) teeth actually start developing before birth, and some are visible at birth, but they typically start erupting at about six months old. Primary teeth continue to come in for up to two and a half years.
For the record, Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis XIV, and Richard III were all born with natal teeth. While they’re often not a cause for concern, if your baby has natal teeth, make an appointment today to talk to the dentist about the best course of action.