Who doesn’t swoon at the sight of a little newborn? All wrinkly, bald or with a bit of hair, with that wonderful baby smell? That toothless gum adds an extra charm that makes us melt. But what’s truly surprising is when we spot a newborn with a tooth. A tooth? How is that possible?
It’s a very rare occurrence, but the birth of a newborn with a tooth is not something that shocks doctors, as it can happen. This phenomenon is known as natal teeth1. It’s expected that the first teeth appear around 6 months of age2, but there are cases where one or more teeth are present even before birth, inside the womb. This happens in one out of every 2,000 babies, and it is more common in female babies.
Another very unusual situation is the appearance of one or more teeth during the first month of life. These are known as neonatal teeth. If you notice the presence of teeth after birth, or within the first month, you should consult a pediatric dentist to evaluate the case, since these teeth may or may not be part of the baby’s primary (milk) teeth and some corrective intervention might be required. Teeth that are considered extra in the baby’s dentition are called supernumerary teeth.
The cause of teeth in newborns is still unknown, but some studies point to possibilities such as heredity, accelerated tooth eruption due to a fever spike, the effect of congenital syphilis, hormonal stimulation, or even the presence of certain syndromes, such as Turner syndrome3 or ectodermal dysplasia4.
How Are Diagnosis and Treatment Carried Out?
After seeing the pediatric dentist, the examination to be requested and used for analysis is a radiograph, a test that may worry parents because it exposes the tiny baby to radiation. However, in this case, it is indispensable. The precise diagnosis will guide the pediatric dentist in determining whether extraction is needed if the tooth is an extra one beyond the normal set, and in assessing risks or damage to take the necessary precautions. Because these teeth appeared early, they are at higher risk for dental cavities and enamel defects already in early childhood.
These teeth can also look different. They might be conical in shape, yellowish, and with underdeveloped roots. In some cases, the tooth may be somewhat loose because its root didn’t form properly, making it unable to anchor to the bone. In that case, there’s a risk the baby could lose the tooth and swallow or aspirate it, leading to a more serious situation. Immediate extraction is then necessary. For a tooth that is more firmly in place, after confirmation from the radiograph, the dentist may recommend a treatment to preserve the tooth. Slightly filing the tip of the tooth to make it rounder is ideal to avoid injuring the baby’s tongue and to prevent hurting the mother’s breast during breastfeeding. Oral hygiene for a newborn with a tooth is essential to prevent infections and the development of lesions, as well as tooth decay.
