Is that Normal? Two-Headed Baby Teeth and More

Some are sharper and some more blunt. Some are straight and others crooked. No two mouths are the same, and every tooth, from the primary incisor to the secondary molar, has its own dimension and purpose.

We work with teeth all day long and are the first to admit that some chompers are a bit peculiar, especially to the moms who call us in dismay when they spy an anomaly of sorts growing in their child’s mouth. Rest assured, such cases are far more “normal” than you may think, especially when it comes to baby teeth. Here are 5 common examples:

Two-headed Tooth

Photo: Oral Answers

Sometimes, a baby tooth will grow and look split in half, or look like two teeth in one. When you come in for a check-up, we do a thorough count of your child’s teeth to determine whether this is due to gemination or fusion. Gemination happens when one tooth splits into two teeth that remained attached. Fusion occurs when two different teeth join together. Worry not, this is fairly common and the adult teeth below them should be just fine.

Photo: Sam Pullara on Flickr Creative Commons

Fangs

When canines come in first, parents often worry because of their fang-like appearance. Baby teeth don’t always pop up according to the average predicted sequence. If canines win the race, the others will soon follow. There are also instances of particularly sharp or pointy canine teeth, and if this poses as a big issue for you or your child, we can always examine her teeth to see if filing them down is necessary.

Gap between Front Teeth

A gap-tooth smile is adorable, especially when your baby flashes one. It’s normal for the little one’s tiny front teeth to have a space between them. Gaps leave room for the other teeth to grow in, and when they do, the gaps often close. With the front teeth, another issue may be a broad or low frenulum. This is a piece of tissue connecting the gum between the two front teeth to the upper lip. Your pediatric dentist can easily determine if this is the case, but will probably want to wait until the adult teeth grow in to evaluate if it needs to be clipped.

Double Row of Teeth

Panic may ensue when permanent teeth grow in, while the baby teeth are still in place. This is more common in the case of lower permanent incisors growing behind, rather than directly underneath, the baby incisors. The baby teeth should still fall out on their own, especially with the help of lots of wiggling, and sometimes, with the aid of an easy visit to the dentist. Just don’t let the baby tooth compete for space with the new tooth for too long, since it can cause the adult tooth to grow more crooked.

Photo: Oral Answers

Bumpy Teeth

Relax – your teen doesn’t have abnormal teeth if they come in bumpy. Bumps go hand in hand with all young permanent incisors. The bumps even have a name – mamelons, and they typically wear away through the process of eating.

Got a “strange tooth” story to share? Send us a comment below.