natal teeth

Natal teeth are teeth present at birth. This happens in only about 1 in 2,000 newborns. They are usually present as a pair of lower central incisors. These teeth almost always lack a true root, and are rather loosely attached to the gum. Natal teeth can be extra deciduous (baby) teeth, in which case they will be replaced by normal deciduous teeth later in infancy, or they may actually be normal deciduous teeth that erupted very early. These teeth can make nursing uncomfortable for both baby and mother, and very loose natal teeth pose some risk of detachment and aspiration into the baby's lungs, so removal is a consideration.

Natal teeth are associated with several medical conditions, including cleft palate and other congenital anomalies including Pierre Robin syndrome.

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