What Are Neonatal Teeth? And What Is A Dental Home?

It was a regular day at the office when I received a phone call from my Pediatrician colleague about a dental issue with a 1 week old infant in their office. The doctor and lactation consultant were concerned about the presence of 2 whitish tooth-like structures in the anterior part of the lower jaw. I joined them to examine the infant and diagnosed her with having neonatal teeth. Neonatal teeth erupt after a few days or weeks of birth. They are usually mobile and are attached in the mouth only by gum tissue or gingiva. These teeth are usually removed to allow breast feeding, and to prevent the infant from choking on the teeth or having them cause ulcerations on the undersurface of the tongue. They differ from natal teeth which are present at the time of birth and have been found to be associated with various syndromes like Ellis-Van-Creveld Syndrome, Hallerman Streiff syndrome and Pierre Robin Syndrome.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children have an established “dental home” no later than 12 months of age. A Dental Home delivers oral health care in a comprehensive, always accessible, consistent setting in a family centered way. This concept is derived from the American Academy of Pediatrics definition of a medical home. In both cases, these models should provide a cost effective and higher quality health care alternative to emergency situations, for dental care and general health care, respectively. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care. Ideally, this should be established by 6 months of age, 6 months after first tooth erupts but no later than 1 year of age.