All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

We often sing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth," but has anyone ever really received that for Christmas? You might be surprised to know that two front teeth are exactly what one baby was born with just three days after Christmas.

Natal teeth (teeth present at birth) are uncommon, but not unheard of. About one in every 2,000 to 3,000 babies are born with natal teeth, according to the National Institute of Health, and they usually appear on the lower gums. Often the teeth are shaved down or removed as soon as possible to avoid problems with nursing or biting the tongue. They can also present a choking hazard, as they are an extra set and will fall out to allow for the normal baby teeth to come in.

Most babies begin to teethe around 6 months, though some children don't get their first tooth until 12 to 14 months. During the first few years of life, baby teeth will gradually push through the gums one or two at a time until the baby has a full set of 20 teeth. Most children have their full set of baby teeth by the time they are three years old. Common side effects of teething include becoming fussy, sleepless, and irritable, loss of appetite, or drooling more than usual. Diarrhea, rashes, and fever are not normal symptoms of teething, so if your baby is experiencing these symptoms or continues to be cranky and uncomfortable, call your physician.

Info from ABC News and Mouthhealthy.org.