A newborn baby is a bundle of surprise and happiness for the family. Yet times, there are even few aspects of the newborn which keeps us in a lot of anxiety. Prenatal teeth are one such scenario where parents are worried about. Baby born with teeth is the rare scenario and here you will learn in detail about what you must know about this.
What Are Natal Teeth And How Common Are They?
Fewer babies are born with teeth, which are called natal teeth. This is termed as the rare case where one baby has them in every 2000 to 3000 newborn. It is vital to know that natal teeth are the extra teeth and they are different from the neonatal teeth that usually erupt after a month of the newborn.
It is observed that more often natal teeth happen in lower gum, in the place of lower canines and molars.
What Are The Different Types Of Natal Teeth?
It is the Type of the natal teeth determines the complication and risk involved. The natal teeth can be classified into four types:
- An indication of teeth, which is about to erupt through the gum.
- Tiny teeth just come out from the gum
- Loose teeth, devoid of roots
- Completely developed teeth with roots and crowns attached.
Usually, there are very rare cases, where babies are born with multiple teeth. Natal teeth will be usually one and mostly these would be lower front teeth. As already mentioned, the doctor’s suggestion in the treatment will be based on the type of natal teeth.
Why Are Some Infants Born With Natal Teeth?
The reasons for the natal teeth are not obvious. However, it is found that some conditions increase the odds your baby getting it. Its chances increases if,
- The baby is born with cleft palate or lips
- The baby is born with an abnormality in the dentine
Other causative factors could be malnutrition, the superficial position of tooth germs, hereditary, and maternal exposure to toxins in the environment. It could also be because of the infection, febrile states, and trauma. In these cases, the tooth develops closer to the surface of the gums.
What Is The Difference Between Natal And Neonatal Teeth?
Both natal and neonatal teeth are abnormal conditions. When the Neonatal teeth are grown within a month or so once the baby is born, the Natal teeth are present right when they are born. This is the main difference. Also, Neonatal teeth are even rarer than the Natal teeth.
Can Natal Teeth Cause Problems for the Baby?
There are few complications or risks with the natal teeth and this is what bothers most parents.
- Few of them pose discomfort to the mother and baby while breastfeeding.
- It could lead to tongue injury in the infants
- The most serious complication includes in inhaling the tooth into the airway. This is a risky aspect which might result in when the tooth is dislodged.
These natal teeth are not treated equally to the neonatal teeth at any instance. It also causes discomfort for the baby to suckle and there are many infants who struggle, especially at the time of breastfeeding.
How To Manage Natal Teeth?
Consult a pediatric dentist as soon as you spot the natal teeth. The doctor will perform an X-ray to find out the degree of root advancement, and the development of enamel and dentine. After evaluating the type of natal teeth, the dentist will go for either extraction or conservative treatment.
The dentist will decide on the extraction of the tooth if the natal teeth are:
- Supernumerary
- Very loosely attached
- Associated with cleft lip/palate
Conservative treatment of natal teeth will be opted if:
- The natal teeth are very tiny
- The natal teeth are attached firmly to the gum
The procedure of Conservative treatment involves:
- Grinding the sharp edge of the tooth
- Using dental composite resin to cover the tooth so that the tongue of the baby will easily glide over it.
- By introducing certain changes in feeding manners
How Are Natal Teeth Removed?
Evaluation of the eruption of natal teeth is very essential because of the above-mentioned problems. When the tooth is loose, while the baby is in the hospital itself, the doctors will remove the natal teeth. After the eruption, the neighboring teeth will drift towards the site of the extracted tooth and this process helps in maintaining the proper space. It is with gentle curettage, they are going to do the entire procedures.
Is The Extraction Of Natal Teeth Complicated?
Because of the poor root development, more often the extraction can be easily performed after applying anesthetic topical crème in the gum. However, sometimes the development of ‘residual neonatal teeth’ (found in 9% of the natal teeth cases) complicates the extraction of natal teeth calling for a second surgical procedure. In such a case, locally injected or general anesthesia is required. Such a surgical procedure also involves the curettage of the underlying dental tissue.
Do Primary Teeth Replace Natal Teeth?
It is observed that two third of the natal teeth usually fall off. However, if the natal teeth are present even after four months, then such tooth has a great prognosis. There are even cases, where the slightly loose tooth stabilizes on the go.
Which Teeth Erupt As Natal Teeth?
As per the research, it is observed that the natal teeth are seen in the cleft palate or lip of the babies. Also, in most cases, 85% of natal teeth are mandibular incisors, while the maxillary incisors are only 11%. The molar or the maxillary canine is just 1% and coming to canines it comes to 3%.
Can Natal and Neonatal Teeth Co Occur?
In most of the cases, the natal teeth fall off or extracted for multiple reasons. In this case, the neonatal teeth will occur in a common manner. There are as well babies where the natal teeth are stabilized and continued to be neonatal teeth. When there are both teeth present, the doctors will be extracting the natal teeth for providing proper space for the neighboring tooth to grow.
So now you know exactly what natal teeth are. Don’t get into shock or terrify yourself while your newborn giggles with a tooth or a couple of them. Doctors have come up with multiple options to take care of your baby right from their day one in this world. If you are an expecting mom and read this article stop getting anxious and confused. Just focus on your health and calm yourself. Expect the best! On the other hand, if you find that your newborn has natal teeth, it is advised to consult the doctor opinion. As they will evaluate the type of the newborn natal teeth and suggest you a proper treatment or options. Stay healthy and happy by giving the best for your babies.
Source: https://www.beingtheparent.com/baby-born-with-teeth-is-it-normal/
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