Can Babies Be Born With Teeth?

Did you know that some babies are actually born with teeth? They are called “natal teeth” and while they are rare, natal teeth are nothing to worry about.

Keep reading this short blog post to find out everything you need to know about natal teeth, and what you need to do if your baby has them.

Why Are Some Babies Born with Teeth?

Babies usually begin to have teeth when they are 4-7 months old. But around 1 in every 2000 babies are born with natal teeth. Some conditions increase the likelihood of natal teeth, such as:

• A cleft palate or lip
• Ellis-Van Creveld syndrome
• Sotos syndrome
• Hallerman-Streiff syndrome

Genetics is also a potential factor. So if people in your family were also born with natal teeth, it’s not really all that surprising for your baby to have them too.

Babies can also experience early teething. Some children begin to grow teeth at the 2-3 month mark. Like with natal teeth, it’s no cause for alarm.

Types of Natal Teeth

There are 4 types of natal teeth:

• Teeth that are about to erupt, but haven’t done so yet
• Fully developed teeth fixed to roots
• Loose teeth that are not fixed to roots
• Small teeth that show just a little bit above the gums

In most cases, a baby with natal teeth will have just one visible tooth, but some may have multiple.

Should You Take Your Baby to a Dentist?

Most pediatric dentists recommend bringing a child in for an appointment the moment their first teeth begin to erupt. If your child is born with natal teeth, then it’s best to take them to a dentist at the first convenient moment.

Though natal teeth are nothing to worry about and will not harm the child, the dentist will need to take a closer look at your child’s teeth to make a full assessment and recommend a treatment plan if necessary.

For instance, some natal teeth may need to be extracted to prevent the child from having difficulties eating, or to prevent harm to the mother while breastfeeding.

Moreover, your Alexandria pediatric dentist can offer you more personalized at-home care tips to help you handle your baby’s oral health.

Bring Your Child to Kingstowne Dental Specialists

Was your child born with natal teeth or are they teething earlier than expected? While you have nothing to worry about, we do recommend seeing Courtney Marzban, DMD for a pediatric dental appointment.

This way, your child’s oral health can be thoroughly inspected and Dr. Marzban can provide you with the best oral health recommendations to make sure your child has a happy and healthy smile.

To get started, book a consultation at Kingstowne Dental Specialists online.

If you have more questions about our services or natal teeth, feel free to call our team at (703) 493-0622 for a short chat.