Yes, some babies are born with teeth (natal teeth); it’s rare and usually manageable with a dentist’s review.
Spotting a tiny tooth in a brand-new mouth can stop you in your tracks. Most infants cut the first tooth around six months, yet a small number arrive with one already showing or sprout one during the first month. This guide lays out what that means, simple day-one care, when to call a pediatric dentist, and how to keep feeding on track—without stress.
Babies With Teeth At Birth — What It Means
Teeth seen on day one are called natal teeth. Teeth that erupt within the first 30 days are called neonatal teeth. Both usually appear on the lower front gum and often look smaller or more tapered than later baby teeth. Many have short roots, which can leave them a bit wiggly until the gums mature.
These early teeth belong to the normal set in most cases; they’re simply ahead of schedule. Less often, an extra tooth forms and erupts. A pediatric dentist can confirm which type you’re seeing and set a simple care plan.
Early Teeth At A Glance
Use this quick table to match what you see with likely next steps.
| Term | Timing | Common Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Natal tooth | Present at birth | Often lower front; may look small; may be mobile early |
| Neonatal tooth | Appears in first 30 days | Same spots as above; eruption can irritate tongue |
| Typical first tooth | Around 6 months | Lower front; firmer roots; fewer feeding issues |
How Rare Is It?
Large reviews place teeth present at birth at roughly one case in two to three thousand births. Numbers vary across studies and populations, yet they all agree this is uncommon. The lower central incisors lead the list by a wide margin.
Why Do Some Babies Get A Tooth So Early?
No single cause fits every case. In many infants, the normal baby tooth bud sits closer to the gum surface and breaks through early. In others, an extra tooth bud forms. Family patterns show up in smaller series, and certain syndromes or a cleft near the gum can change eruption paths.
Signs That Deserve A Closer Look
- A tooth that wiggles a lot or seems ready to fall out
- Ulcers on the underside of the tongue or on the nipple during feeds
- Poor latch, clicking, or weight loss tied to mouth pain
- Breathing or choking events linked to a loose tooth
Any of the above calls for a prompt dental visit. Many babies do well with simple measures like smoothing a sharp edge, yet a very mobile tooth can pose an aspiration risk.
Newborn Mouth Care On Day One
Keep the gums clean with a soft gauze pad or a silicone finger brush once a day. If feeding hurts, feel for a sharp edge. A pediatric dentist can round it in minutes. A thin smear of petroleum jelly on the underside of the tongue before feeds can reduce friction while you wait for an appointment.
Ask the birth team whether your child received the standard vitamin K shot. If an extraction is needed in the early days, clotting support reduces bleeding risk. Most nurseries give vitamin K at delivery; the dentist will still confirm before any procedure.
Feeding Tips That Help
Latch quality matters more than the tooth itself. A deep latch, chest-to-chest positioning, and a relaxed jaw often solve rubbing on the tongue. If a sharp ridge nicks the tongue, a quick polish of the edge usually fixes it. For bottle feeding, try a slow-flow nipple and pause more often so the tongue can settle between sucks.
Red Flags During Feeds
- Persistent pain for the nursing parent after latch coaching
- Blood on the tongue or nipple
- Frequent choking or gagging
- Poor weight gain over several days
These signs point to a need for hands-on help from a pediatric dentist, a lactation specialist, or both.
What A Pediatric Dentist May Recommend
Expect a gentle exam and a quick check of mobility. If the tooth is stable, the plan is watchful care: keep it clean, protect the tongue, and return if feeding problems appear. If the edge is sharp, many dentists smooth or apply a small polish. When a tooth moves a lot or sits high with minimal root support, removal may be safer.
Removal in a newborn is brief and usually done with topical anesthetic plus local numbing. The dentist confirms vitamin K status, controls bleeding with pressure, and gives simple aftercare. Caregivers rinse the mouth with cooled boiled water after feeds for a day and avoid finger probing the socket. Healing tends to be quick.
When To Seek Urgent Care
Go now if you see sudden breathing trouble, a tooth that disappears in the mouth, or ongoing bleeding that soaks a cloth. Those events are uncommon, yet they need immediate eyes on the baby.
Myths And Facts New Parents Hear
“A Tooth At Birth Means Grown-Up Teeth Will Be Early”
Not always. The rest of the schedule often follows a typical pace. Many infants who start with one early tooth sprout the next ones months later, right on the usual curve. For reference, most children begin teething around six months and finish the baby set by about age three.
“Early Teeth Always Need To Be Pulled”
No. If the tooth sits firm and feeding goes well, keeping it is common. Extraction is reserved for cases with high mobility, repeated ulcers, or airway risk.
“These Teeth Are Always Extra”
In many babies the early tooth belongs to the normal set. A dentist can tell by position and, later, by counting the rest as they arrive.
How This Differs From Teething Later On
Standard teething starts near six months. The gum may look puffy, and drool tends to spike. A cool washcloth, a solid teether, or a gentle gum massage helps. Medicated gels on the gums aren’t needed and can carry risks in infants. Acetaminophen by weight can help during a rough patch if your pediatrician agrees.
Simple Decision Guide For Parents
Use the table below to match common situations with sensible next steps.
| Situation | What You See | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth is firm | No sores; feeds go well | Clean daily; routine dentist visit in weeks |
| Sharp edge rubs tongue | Small ulcer; latch seems fine | Ask dentist to smooth edge; protect tongue with ointment |
| Very loose tooth | Moves with each suck | Dental visit now; removal often advised |
| Possible aspiration | Tooth missing after a cough | Emergency care for airway check |
| Feeding pain persists | Weight gain stalls | Team visit: dentist plus lactation |
What The Data And Guidelines Say
Clinical guides align on the basics: a tooth at birth is rare; most sit in the lower front; many can stay in place with simple care; and removal is for mobility, recurring ulcers, or true airway risk. Pediatric groups also advise the first dental visit by the first birthday or within six months of the first erupted tooth, whichever comes first.
Want a deeper dive into official guidance on infant oral care? See the AAPD perinatal oral health best practices and the AAP’s parent guide on baby’s first tooth. These references set clear, practical steps for families and clinicians.
Practical Care Checklist You Can Save
Daily Care
- Wipe gums and any early tooth with clean gauze once a day
- Keep feeds calm and deep-latched; pause when the tongue looks sore
- Skip teething gels and home numbing products in infants
When Calling Makes Sense
- Any mouth ulcer larger than a grain of rice
- Loose tooth movement you can see without touching
- Choking spells, coughs during feeds, or breathing changes
What To Ask The Dentist
- Is this tooth part of the normal set or extra?
- Can you smooth the edge today?
- Does my baby need removal, and is vitamin K confirmed?
Short Answers To Common Parent Questions
Will The Tooth Fall Out?
Some do. If the root is short, gentle motion may persist for days. Many firm up as the gum thickens. A dentist can judge safety in the chair.
Will My Child Have A Gap Later?
If a normal baby tooth is removed, a gap can appear until the permanent tooth arrives years later. Your dentist will track spacing as the mouth grows.
Can I Brush It?
Yes. A tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste on a soft brush once a day helps control plaque after feeds. Start this once the newborn phase settles or sooner if your dentist suggests.
Bottom Line For New Parents
Teeth at birth or in the first month are unusual but manageable. Most babies can keep the tooth and feed in comfort with small tweaks. When problems pop up—like a loose tooth or a sore tongue—quick dental care solves them fast and keeps the first weeks peaceful.