{"id":2068,"date":"2023-07-10T07:35:27","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T07:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/?p=2068"},"modified":"2023-10-16T07:43:27","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T07:43:27","slug":"epstein-pearls-what-every-parent-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/epstein-pearls-what-every-parent-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Epstein Pearls: What Every Parent Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are Epstein pearls? They have become the most used term to describe white bumps on babies\u2019 gum and mouth. In some cases, these white bumps are deceiving as they may look like baby teeth. Still, they are not teeth. Epstein pearls are technically acne that develops in the mouth. Fortunately, the condition is benign and will usually resolve on its own without affecting the infant\u2019s health in any way.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are worried that the white bumps in your baby\u2019s gums are from bad hygiene practices, you can always learn more about <\/span>cleaning your baby\u2019s tongue and mouth<\/span><\/a>. Also, if you are looking for <\/span>general pediatric care in Plantation and Doral, Florida<\/span><\/a>, feel free to schedule an appointment with us after reading this article on Epstein pearls. The experts at <\/span>Worldwide Pediatrics Group<\/span><\/a> are ready to answer all your questions and concerns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Epstein Pearls: What Do They Look Like?<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Beautiful<\/p>\n

These pearls look like tiny whitish bumps on your baby\u2019s gum and mouth. More specifically, they appear underneath the skin, and they are yellowish-whitish lesions or cysts that form on the gums or the mouth\u2019s roof.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The bumps are tiny, usually no larger than a few millimeters in diameter, and once they develop, they shouldn\u2019t grow bigger as time passes. Still, if they do manage to develop into larger lesions, call your child\u2019s pediatrician as soon as possible. Thor placement and development are usually random, and they may appear as a group of lesions (at least from two to six) or as a single cyst.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, most often, parents are most concerned about the development of a single pearl on the gums, which may often resemble a baby\u2019s tooth that\u2019s trying to break through. And telling the difference can often be challenging, as the Epstein pearls tend to be just as firm to the touch, like baby teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, these white bumps cause no additional symptoms. Epstein pearls are benign and lead to no complications with teething or feeding. Still, if the baby does show any signs of discomfort because of the lesions, they should be checked out by an expert.<\/span><\/p>\n

Epstein Pearls: What Causes Them?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The condition is quite prevalent in newborns, as around 90% of them may develop these white bumps. Usually, they only develop them in early infancy, as they are much less prevalent after three months old.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The condition is usually caused by the keratin buildup both in the hard and the soft palates. As you may know, keratin is the main material that makes up our nails and hair. The pearls are similar to milia on people\u2019s faces, a harmless buildup of bumps that are skin cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What actually triggers the keratin buildup is somewhat unknown. Some experts believe that during gestation, some tissue gets trapped during palate development, and then the small bumps develop under the mouth\u2019s skin shortly after birth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diagnosing Epstein Pearls<\/b><\/h2>\n

Your child\u2019s pediatrician will start the diagnostic process with a physical exam that will focus on the baby\u2019s mouth to ensure that the pearls aren\u2019t actually new teeth. While, for the most part, experts will succeed at diagnosing Epstein pearls after a single physical exam, if they find other symptoms, they may conduct more tests as those might suggest a different condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These conditions may be the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n