Patient's question:
A newborn has several milky white spots in their mouth and two teeth. What could be the reason? They have not been treated. What are the milky white raised spots?Doctor's answer:
Most babies develop many yellowish-white small spots along the midline of the upper palate and along the gum margins between 4 to 6 weeks after birth, which resemble newly erupted teeth. These are also known as "milk teeth" or "bony teeth," and are medically referred to as epithelial pearls. Epithelial pearls are formed by the stacking of epithelial cells and are a normal physiological phenomenon, not a disease. "Milk teeth" do not affect the baby's ability to nurse or the development of their milk teeth. They gradually fall off within a few months after birth. Some infants may not shed their "milk teeth" promptly due to malnutrition, but this is not a significant issue and does not require treatment.