What is a baby tooth?
A baby tooth is the teeth that a baby has before they develop their adult teeth. Normally, these come between the ages of 6 months and a year before falling out and become adult teeth around 4-7 years old.
The first teeth that appear between six and ten months of age are the central incisor teeth in the lower jaw; these occur between ages six and ten months. After that, the next set of teeth to erupt is the lateral incisor teeth, between ages eight and thirteen months; and the first set of upper and lower molars, between ages thirteen and nineteen months.
Premature Tooth Formation
Neonatal teeth have not yet erupted and are known as primary teeth. They are more common in a female and can cause problems with feeding and swallowing.
Natal teeth are a common myth surrounding the appearance of teeth in babies that are born. In most cases, they are just baby teeth that have been present since birth. The rarer cases of natal teeth are extras, or supernumerary teeth, as is the case with many things in nature. The exact aetiology is not known but there is evidence to support a hereditary component and familial correlations.
Parents of children with natal or neonatal teeth may see symptoms as early as 3 months of age. Though these children may not exhibit the normal telltale signs of teething, they can still be affected by this condition. Children with natal or neonatal teeth have an increased risk for discolouration, wear, and other effects associated with the condition.
Advice to Parents
Some tips to look after your baby’s teeth include:
- Brushing Regularly
- Visit the dentist
- Get Floride Free baby toothpaste
- Purchase a baby toothbrush
- Avoid sugary drinks
Many parents are worried about when their children will get their first teeth and what they should do to help them. The general guideline for all parents is to brush regularly, starting when they first get their teeth. Some tips include making your child’s first dental appointment when the first tooth appears and making sure your child sees a pediatric dentist early.
Babies are born with their first set of teeth, called incisors. By the time a baby is one year old, he or she will have all of his or her incisors. Teeth come in pairs, so by the time a baby is one year old, he or she will have all of his or her front teeth. If your baby’s teeth come in at birth, it’s a great idea to learn more about them.
Can Babies Be Born with Teeth?
Yes, Natal teeth may be caused by a variety of things including genetic diseases, disorders and syndromes, or medical conditions such as Sotos syndrome. Natal teeth can also occur in children who were born prematurely.
It’s estimated that less than 1% of babies are born with teeth – so it’s certainly not common. Babies may have teeth as early as 3 months old, and in some cases may not exhibit signs of teething at all.
The symptoms of teething in babies are drooling, fussiness, rash, and biting their fingers. Teething takes about eight days and includes four days before and three days after the tooth comes through the gum. Some tips to manage teething include giving the baby a cold teething ring or pacifier to chew on as well as gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger or cloth.
Conclusion
The difference between early eruption and premature eruption of natal and neonatal teeth is that early eruption is due to endocrine system changes whereas premature eruption is a pathological phenomenon.
Natal teeth are believed to be caused by a variety of factors including genetic disorders, other rare medical conditions, and complications during pregnancy.
There are many causes of neonatal teeth. Some causes include disruptions in the process of mineralization due to premature birth, calcium deficiency, and familial factors. Dental defects are most common on primary teeth undergoing mineralization around the time of premature birth and can be located on primary incisors, canines, and first molars but may also be seen in second primary molars. It is unclear how these defects form but it is thought that disturbances in calcium metabolism and systemic factors.
