Gapped teeth on LO?

Jalee85 · July 2014

Is it common for babies top front teeth to have a large gap inbetween them? At first I thought the gap would close when other teeth came on the outsides. She has 4 teeth on top and her front teeth haven't budged yet. Just curious to know if this is normal?

jennlin · July 2014

small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.

deedee1017 · July 2014

jennlin said:

small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.

Just curious, is there even anything that a pediatric dentist could/would do at this point?

LC122 · July 2014

deedee1017 said:

jennlin said:

small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.

Just curious, is there even anything that a pediatric dentist could/would do at this point?

I don't think so. DD1 has a gap. No one has mentioned doing anything about it in the near future. The dentist says they prefer more space to allow all the teeth to grow in.
The gap usually closes with time/adult teeth.

deedee1017 · July 2014

LC122 said:

jennlin said:

small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.

Just curious, is there even anything that a pediatric dentist could/would do at this point?
I don't think so. DD1 has a gap. No one has mentioned doing anything about it in the near future. The dentist says they prefer more space to allow all the teeth to grow in. The gap usually closes with time/adult teeth.

That's what I figured. A baby is going to lose his/her teeth and get their adult teeth so I would think there isn't anything that can be done.

Jalee85 · July 2014

jennlin said:
small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.

I know she has a large chunk of gum between the two teeth. I figure that is why they are not together. Her bottom teeth are all touching. I tried to take a pic but she wasn't having it.

Herefishy87 · July 2014

jennlin said:
small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.

What would you consider small? Ds2's gap is wide enough to probably grow another tooth in!

Jalee85 · July 2014

Found an old picture. Would this be considered a small or large gap? If it is possible to tell.

ndmcgirr · July 2014

My girl has an upper lip tie which comes down through her gum where her front teeth will come in. My ped told me pretty early on to expect a gap in the front teeth that won't be corrected she is old enough for braces (if we choose). It sounds like your little one might have an upper lip tie or something similar with the skin that comes down.

Herefishy87 · July 2014

@Jalee85‌ I feel like you could drive a Cadillac thru my LO's teeth... I understand the worry! Have you asked your ped yet?

jennlin · July 2014

deedee1017 said:

jennlin said:

small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.

Just curious, is there even anything that a pediatric dentist could/would do at this point?

i have no idea--but at least they can tell you if it is even a problem..and then if so, when/what you can do about. or they can tell you to stop incessantly weorrying.

jennlin · July 2014

Herefishy87 said:

small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.
What would you consider small? Ds2's gap is wide enough to probably grow another tooth in!

i'm not a pedi dentist, but if you can fit a whole nother tooth in there, i'd say that's big, and would concern me....but again, i'm not a dentist, and have no idea. i'd get it looked at it and let them decide if it's anything to worry about at all.

deedee1017 · July 2014

jennlin said:

deedee1017 said:

jennlin said:

small gap is expected and normal. large gap, you might want a pedi dentist to look at.

Just curious, is there even anything that a pediatric dentist could/would do at this point?

i have no idea--but at least they can tell you if it is even a problem..and then if so, when/what you can do about. or they can tell you to stop incessantly weorrying.

CatieG · July 2014

Jalee85 said:
Found an old picture. Would this be considered a small or large gap? If it is possible to tell.

I'd consider that a normal sized gap

DD has a larger gap due to a lip tie (which has now torn and makes the gap look even bigger) but I really won't know if it's an "issue" until the permanent teeth come in.

Jalee85 · July 2014

@jgslr‌

DH saw a documentary about Michael Strahan (off topic be he was married to DHs Bosses daughter) they showed a baby picture of him. DH said that pic looked just like Delaney...lol So he got a bit nervous; which is why
I came on TB and asked it it was normal...lol

Jalee85 · July 2014

anamouse said:

Just my opinion, but I think as teeth come in gaps will close. An orthodontist won't do anything until permanent teeth come in. I'm sure your pedi could address this at your next appt if you're concerned.

I'm not so much concerned. I'm just curious if this is normal or not. As I stated in another thread. I have jaw issues and so does DH. If she is going to end up with jaw issues; then I would want my jaw surgeon to keep tabs on her. We both had smaller lower jaws. DH's was caught when he was young and a simple mouth guard solved the problem. For me it wasn't caught until I was 19 yrs old, and I had to have major jaw surgery.

Jalee85 · July 2014

jgslr said:

Sort of of related, have you seem this pic? (Not my kid btw) what do you see?? eta:damn it, brb

Dang it broken link.

Jalee85 · July 2014

jgslr said:

jgslr said:

Sort of of related, have you seem this pic? (Not my kid btw) what do you see?? eta:damn it, brb

Dang it broken link.
Mobile bump is being a douchcanoe. My last attempt, if not, I give up.

that piece of skin hanging between the two teeth. That is exactly what is between D's teeth. Is that what an upper lip tie is?!?

Jalee85 · July 2014

@jgslr this was before she had teeth, but this is what is causing the gap.

Jalee85 · July 2014

jgslr said:

jgslr said:

jgslr said:

Sort of of related, have you seem this pic? (Not my kid btw) what do you see?? eta:damn it, brb

Dang it broken link.
Mobile bump is being a douchcanoe. My last attempt, if not, I give up.

that piece of skin hanging between the two teeth. That is exactly what is between D's teeth. Is that what an upper lip tie is?!?
Yup, it's frenulum (sp) that ties the lip to the gum, there are varying degrees and it can make nursing painful. I chose not to cut it, bc unlike tongue tie, it's not always helpful to cut (or necessary) and it's hard to find someone who knows who to snip it.

Perhaps there was a reason for her leaky latch this whole time.....wtf! This picture I actually sent to my friend who is a SLP. She was going to send it to a childrens dentist or something, but she never got back to me.

Jalee85 · July 2014

@jgslr‌ I could kiss you! I just looked. She does have an upper lip tie!

ETA - now I'm a little bit salty that the LCs never checked; when I had so much nursing difficulties.

Is it to late to fix?

Jalee85 · July 2014

ndmcgirr said:
My girl has an upper lip tie which comes down through her gum where her front teeth will come in. My ped told me pretty early on to expect a gap in the front teeth that won't be corrected she is old enough for braces (if we choose). It sounds like your little one might have an upper lip tie or something similar with the skin that comes down.

Oh gees I just reread this. Why did it not compute until @jgslr showed me a picture...oops

@ndmcgirr‌ You were right I just checked. I'm pretty sure she has a lip tie!11!1eleventy!!

ndmcgirr · July 2014

My girl has an upper lip tie which comes down through her gum where her front teeth will come in. My ped told me pretty early on to expect a gap in the front teeth that won't be corrected she is old enough for braces (if we choose). It sounds like your little one might have an upper lip tie or something similar with the skin that comes down.
Oh gees I just reread this. Why did it not compute until @jgslr showed me a picture...oops @ndmcgirr‌ You were right I just checked. I'm pretty sure she has a lip tie!11!1eleventy!!

Nursing was hard/painful at the beginning and she constantly lost her latch. Our LC guided us through but our Dr. Said the risk of surgery was greater than the struggles of BF if I was willing to stick it out. Tongue ties are a bigger issue and are frequently fixed but it's possible to nurse through a lip tie. My Dr. Said that once she gets bigger and mobile it will probably tear here and there but she'll be fine and still wouldn't recommend the risk if surgery.

Edit - @jalee85

jennlin · July 2014

We had/have a small ULT. My LC gave me a sheet of exercises to practice with the baby to stretch it out. A bad tie can cause speech problems, and oral hygiene problems later in life. Not minor ones, only bigger ones.

For the ULT, put your finger on baby's "mustache", and with just a little pressure, push left and right to stretch/loosen it. Not hard enough to cause pain, just a little to keep it moving.

Jalee85 · July 2014

Those faces seem very familiar....lol

I promise I'm not killing her. It seems like she has excess skin going on the through to the lip to. It's hard to explain.