Prenatal Maternal Stress and Early Tooth Development in Infants
Published Dec 24, 2025
Prenatal Maternal Stress and Early Tooth Development in Infants. The early years of a child's life are shaped by many factors, including genes, biology, and the environment the baby is exposed to before birth. New research shows that a mother’s level of stress and the related hormones she produces during pregnancy might affect when a baby’s first tooth comes in.
A study published in 2025 followed a group of babies and found that those whose mothers had higher levels of specific hormones in their saliva during pregnancy tended to get their first teeth earlier. This difference in timing is not harmful, but it shows how each baby develops at their own pace based on their growth and development.
Getting the first tooth is a process influenced by more than just genetics. It also depends on the conditions a baby experiences in the womb. Changes in a mother’s hormones during pregnancy can have a quiet but meaningful effect on when key developmental events, like tooth eruption, happen in a baby’s life.
It’s important to note that earlier tooth eruption isn’t a sign of illness or a problem. These findings show how a mother’s health and well-being during pregnancy can play a role in a child’s dental and general development. This research helps us understand that oral health starts long before a baby even has teeth, which means taking care of a mother’s health during pregnancy is very important.
Sources:
Meng Y., Yang R., Alomeir N., et al. (2025). Prenatal maternal salivary hormones and timing of tooth eruption in early childhood. Frontiers in Oral Health; Oral Health Group; ADA News
A study published in 2025 followed a group of babies and found that those whose mothers had higher levels of specific hormones in their saliva during pregnancy tended to get their first teeth earlier. This difference in timing is not harmful, but it shows how each baby develops at their own pace based on their growth and development.
Getting the first tooth is a process influenced by more than just genetics. It also depends on the conditions a baby experiences in the womb. Changes in a mother’s hormones during pregnancy can have a quiet but meaningful effect on when key developmental events, like tooth eruption, happen in a baby’s life.
It’s important to note that earlier tooth eruption isn’t a sign of illness or a problem. These findings show how a mother’s health and well-being during pregnancy can play a role in a child’s dental and general development. This research helps us understand that oral health starts long before a baby even has teeth, which means taking care of a mother’s health during pregnancy is very important.
Sources:
Meng Y., Yang R., Alomeir N., et al. (2025). Prenatal maternal salivary hormones and timing of tooth eruption in early childhood. Frontiers in Oral Health; Oral Health Group; ADA News
