Have You Noticed Your Child's Baby Teeth? These Situations Require Timely Medical Attention
Family & KidsDuring baby tooth eruption, parents may notice unusual shapes, numbers, colors, or alignments. This article explains which are normal phenomena and which require prompt dental intervention.
The eruption of baby teeth is an inevitable part of a child's growth journey. However, during this process, many observant parents notice: "Hmm? Why does my baby's tooth look so strange? Is it serious? Does it need medical intervention?"
Indeed, in my daily clinical practice, I've seen all kinds of "adorable yet bizarre" baby teeth. Among them, some are normal phenomena that require no intervention, while others need careful monitoring and timely medical attention.
So how can we ease unnecessary anxiety while not delaying timely intervention for problematic teeth? Follow along as I explain below.
Strange Shapes
Looks Like a Tooth but Isn't
In newborn babies, you can often see small pearl-like white spots in the oral cavity. They feel hard like teeth when touched, but don't quite look like regular teeth. These are commonly called "horse teeth" (马牙), with the medical term being "Epstein pearls" (上皮珠). They are remnants of epithelial tissue left over during tooth development, and will gradually disappear over time. Generally, no special treatment is needed.
When cleaning your baby's mouth, parents can check whether the white spots are loose. If there is a possibility of loosening and falling off, it is recommended to visit a dentist for evaluation.