What Is That White Bump In My Baby’s Mouth?

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In the Know for You to Know

Let Daddy Look At The White Bumps In Your Mouth
Let Daddy Look At The White Bumps In Your Mouth

You and your baby are home from the hospital happy and healthy and now you’re anticipating taking care of your precious newborn.

After your infant’s feeding you take a soft moist washcloth to clean their mouth, and you notice that there are one or two spots on their gums that won’t wipe clean.

Then you look more closely while gently touching that area and think to yourself, “Did I just find a small white bump on my baby’s gums?”

The answer is yes, and if you see this white bump on the gums it may very well be a Bohn’s nodule.

What are Bohn’s nodules and why does your baby have this?

Today we’re breaking down the basics on Bohn’s nodules and why something which is so common is not so commonly discussed.

What Are Bohn’s Nodules?

Bohn’s nodules are small white or yellowish appearing, smooth, round to oval, painless bumps that form along the gums in a baby’s mouth before they are born.

They are firm to the touch, measure 1 to 3 millimeters (they are up to 1/8” in size), and frequently appear in groups of two to six nodules, but they can also arise as a single isolated bulge.

Bohn nodules are most commonly found on the lip/cheek (aka in dental terms labial/buccal) side of the gums of the upper jaw (aka in dental terms the maxillary alveolar mucosa); although they can be found on the lip/cheek gums of the lower jaw (aka in dental terms the mandibular alveolar mucosa).

How Common Are Bohn’s Nodules?

Very common, about 85 percent of babies are born with Bohn’s Nodules.

What Causes Bohn’s Nodules?

Bohn’s nodules are bumps made up of an excess of the protein keratin (which lines the inside and outside surfaces of the body).

There is nothing you can do to prevent Bohn’s Nodules from forming or lower the chance of your baby developing them.

How Do You Treat Bohn’s Nodules?

No treatment is needed as most Bohn’s nodules resolve spontaneously within the first few months after your baby is born.

Are Bohn’s Nodules Painful?

Bohn’s Nodules are not painful. They are asymptomatic and do not interfere with feeding.

How Are Bohn’s Nodules Diagnosed?

Bohn’s Nodules are diagnosed based on their location in your infant’s mouth.

Does Bohn’s Nodules Mean My Child Is Teething?

While it may almost look like your newborn is teething, Bohn’s Nodules do not interfere with when your baby starts teething or their teething pattern.

When Do Bohn’s Nodules Go Away?

Bohn’s Nodules typically go away on their own within 3 months after your baby is born.

What If You Still Have Concerns?

Call your Pediatrician.

Call your Pediatrician when you’re worried and feel that something else is causing of the bumps.

Calling your Pediatrician is also a good idea when:

  • The bumps haven’t gone away and it’s more than 3 months,
  • You feel the bumps are changing in size (getting larger) and/or shape,
  • Your baby is having trouble feeding and shows signs of pain or discomfort.

Your Pediatrician will examine your baby and determine what needs to be done next.

What To Remember

Bohn’s nodules are common for parents to see in their newborns mouth. The nodules are small white or yellowish appearing, smooth, round to oval, painless bumps that form along the gums in a baby’s mouth before they are born. These bumps aren’t painful and resolve spontaneously within the first 3 months after your baby is born.

As with any concerns you have always call your Pediatrician.

Did you ever hear about Bohn’s Nodules before today? Have you seen small white or yellowish bumps in your infant’s mouth? What did you think when you saw these bumps? Has your Pediatrician told you that your baby has Bohn’s Nodules? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us or Chat with us on Facebook

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

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Published by kidstoothhotline

As a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist with over ten years of experience practicing Pediatric Dentistry, I understand that parents and caregivers are in need for information to care for their children's oral health. You may not have your normal lines of communication open or you cannot easily call or visit your child’s Dentist and obtain answers to your questions. Some families may not yet have a Pediatric Dentist to call. My expertise and knowledge can help serve as your source as I provide answers with information that is current, informative and the Gold Standards of Care which are the practice Guidelines approved by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. I want to help you access this important information by answering your questions through this site. You may want to submit your own individual questions or you can view my postings and answers to other families questions that may apply to your child's needs. I am committed to helping you stay informed, after all it is all about your child.