Riga-fede ulcer and natal tooth: case report

Abstract

Background: Natal teeth are present at birth and neonatal are characterized as teeth that erupt in the first 30 days of life. Generally, the lower primary incisors erupt early and they are most commonly identified as natal and neonatal teeth. In most cases, the teeth belong to the normal series (95%) and only 5% are supernumerary. The frequency of this phenomenon occurs approximately from 1: 401 to 1: 3.500. The natal teeth can be associated with various difficulties, such as pain on suckling and refusal to feed, faced by the mother and the child due to the natal tooth/teeth. Case report: This case report presents an infant with presence of a natal tooth associated with Riga-Fede ulcer. The mother reported that infant was diagnosed with heart congenital anomaly and was presenting difficulty in breastfeeding associated with tongue ulcer. Conclusion: Infants with natal teeth must be assessed, since these can present mobility and cause Riga-Fede ulcer and besides compromises the breastfeeding. In cases that infants present heart congenital anomaly, more careful should be taken.