Natal Teeth: A Rare Case Report and Management Strategies

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of teeth at birth is a rare phenomenon that can pose challenges for both
parents and health care professionals.
Case presentation: A 30-year-old primigravida presented at 41 weeks in latent labor. She progressed
well and delivered by spontaneous vertex delivery, a live female infant, 3700 g with an Apgar score of 8
and 10 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. On examination, two natal teeth were observed in the
mandibular anterior region. Vitamin K was administered to the infant after birth. The following day, it was
noted that the baby had difficulty breastfeeding, and the mother reported bruising of the nipples and pain
while breastfeeding. A pediatric dentist noted that the teeth had severe mobility and planned for
extraction. Extraction was performed under topical anesthetic gel successfully. Follow-up visits revealed
normal breastfeeding with associated infant weight gain, and the gums had healed well.
Conclusion: The occurrence of teeth at birth is a rare phenomenon that can pose challenges for both
parents and health care professionals. It is a culture-bound phenomenon that can cause parents to deny
their baby love and affection. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this condition in order to
counsel the parents and manage the baby appropriately.