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Dental Implants: Stains, Whitenings and Other Considerations

What Are Natal Teeth, And What (If Anything) Should I Do About Them?

27 May 2016

Isobel Berry

Caring for a young child's even changing dental needs can be challenging, but is essential for both the short-term and long-term health of your baby. However, in uncommon cases the ordinary progression from baby teeth to adult teeth can start a little too early, and some babies emerge from the womb already sporting one or more teeth in their mouths.These teeth are known as natal teeth, and while they very rarely cause problems for the child, caring for the dental health of a child with natal teeth requires a few precautions.

How do natal teeth differ from ordinary neonatal baby teeth?

While ordinary baby teeth erupt to signal the change from a liquid to a solid diet, natal teeth erupt in the isolated conditions of the womb, where the baby takes all of its nutrients intravenously from the mother. As such, natal teeth are generally not as robust or well formed as neonatal teeth (baby teeth that erupt after birth). They are often poorly formed, with a small, conical appearance, and may lack vital structures such as roots and nerves, instead being attached to the gums with fragile strips of connective tissue. As such, natal teeth are often loose, and may fall out on their own within a matter of days.

Should I have my baby's natal teeth removed?

If your baby is born with natal teeth, deciding whether or not to have them removed depends on a number of factors. Obviously you should consult with your doctors and caregivers before coming to a decision, and have your child's teeth inspected by a qualified paediatric dentist. There are a number of reasons to have a child's natal teeth removed:

• Irritation: Since your child may not be able to eat solid food at first, they have little use for their teeth when nursing, and the baby's lip and tongue movements often slide across the (usually toothless) gums to increase suction during nursing. When natal teeth are present, however, these movements can cause irritation and chafing as the lips and gums move against the small, conical teeth, and can even cause oral bleeding in extreme cases. This is usually a problem for babies with natal teeth on their lower gum line.
• Trouble nursing: Besides the aforementioned problems with chafing, natal teeth can also inhibit your baby's ability to properly latch on to a nipple or bottle, preventing them from feeding properly. It also goes without saying that pointed teeth do not making for comfortable breastfeeding for the mother, and mothers suffering from injured or irritated nipples may opt to have the teeth removed.
• Accidental inhalation: Because natal teeth are often rootless and wobbly, they can fall out unexpectedly, and a natal tooth falling down a newborn baby's throat can be a severe choking hazard.

However, removing a newborn child's natal teeth can be a traumatic experience, especially if they are more robustly attached than usual, and can lead to complications or infections in very rare cases. If your baby has natal teeth that do not seem to present any problems, most paediatric dentists recommend leaving them in until they fall out naturally, keeping your child's dental progression as natural as possible. If you choose this option, make sure to keep your newborn's teeth clean to prevent tooth decay and destruction of adult tooth bud. For more information, talk to a professional like Precision Dental Care @ Kingston.

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