Ever heard of babies born with teeth? It’s usually such a big deal in my rural - a woman I once talked to believed it to be some kind of jinx to the family.

Teeth that are present at birth are known as natal teeth….those that develop within a month after birth are called neonatal teeth. About 1 in 2000/3000 children born has teeth. They are most common at the front region of the lower jaw.

These teeth are usually loose because the root which is supposed to hold the tooth in bone is not fully developed. They have a yellowish appearance because the hard coat which covers the tooth (enamel) has not fully mineralized.

What causes a child to be born with teeth?

It could be familial/ hereditary.

The developing tooth may be positioned very close to the surface making the tooth to erupt earlier than is the norm.

Hormonal stimulation in the child by hormones that stimulate growth.

Environmental factors e.g.

They may be present with another disease in the infant.

What should I do if my child is born with teeth?

Visit a dental clinic, preferably a pediatric dental clinic if you can access one. Kindly avoid the old woman your mother in law or grandmother knows in the village.

How will a dentist help my child if they are born with teeth?

The dentist will either remove the teeth/tooth or allow them to stay in the mouth.

The decision to remove is made if:

The tooth is mobile and risks coming off by itself. This is risky as the child may aspirate (‘choke’) the tooth bringing more problems.

The child is biting the mother during suckling make it uncomfortable.

If it’s uncomfortable for the child i.e. the child keeps scratching the area and is irritable. Sometimes the teeth are sharp and traumatize the tongue or the gum they bite against.

If left in place, they continue to grow and the root develops. However their final size tends to be often small.

©DrAlex