Most parents don’t expect their baby to be born with teeth—but it is possible. Although it can be confusing to see a tooth poking out of a newborn baby’s mouth, there is little cause for concern. Here’s more on what to expect when a baby is born with teeth, and how a pediatric dentistry practice can help. 

Understanding Babies Born With Teeth

How Often Are Babies Born With Teeth? 

Studies have shown that about one baby out of 2,000 or 3,000 is born with teeth. About 15% of babies who are born with teeth have relatives who have also had the condition. However, premature dental development has been tied to conditions such as cleft palate, Hallerman-Streiff syndrome, Sotos syndrome, and Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.

The teeth that babies are born with look slightly different than the ones that grow when they reach infancy. Each tooth is usually smaller and more yellow and may lack typical structures seen in other teeth, such as a dental root. Sometimes babies are born with teeth that are just about to erupt through the gums. 

Do Babies With Teeth Need Special Treatment? 

Typically, babies born with teeth don’t require any special treatment. However, if any of the teeth interfere with the baby’s ability to latch, eat, and gain weight properly, they may need to be surgically removed. If the baby struggles with biting their own tongue, lips, or cheeks, it could also be a sign that the tooth needs removal. 

Pediatric dentistry specialists can inspect your baby’s mouth to determine if the natal teeth are healthy or if they are damaged and interfere with your child’s normal development. To determine the health of the tooth, your pediatric dentistry specialist may also recommend taking a quick dental X-ray to determine the placement and health of the tooth.

If surgery is required, it will be done under gentle local anesthetic. In some cases, if the tooth isn’t completely attached, it could be gently removed without any problems. 

When you have questions about the natural development of your new baby’s teeth, turn to Philmont Family Dentistry PLLC. Since their inception in 1975, this trusted dental office has been helping patients throughout Philmont, NY, area to manage everything from preventative checkups to teeth whitening and dental implants. To find out more about how they can help, visit their website, or give their office a call at (518) 672-4077 to make an appointment.