Key takeaways: Epstein pearls (on the roof of the mouth) and Bohn’s nodules (on the gums) are tiny, harmless white cysts that are common in newborns and go away on their own within weeks. White patches on the tongue or cheeks that don’t wipe away may be thrush and should be checked.
Many newborns have small white or yellowish bumps in their mouths. They’re usually harmless.
Epstein Pearls
- Where: along the middle of the roof of the mouth (the palate).
- What: tiny cysts filled with keratin, a skin protein.
- Common: they’re seen in many newborns.
- Outcome: they go away on their own, usually within a few weeks.
Bohn’s Nodules
- Where: on the gums, often along the outer or inner edges.
- What: small cysts from salivary gland tissue.
- Outcome: they go away on their own in weeks to months.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book covers everyday newborn care month by month, plus the warning signs that mean it’s time to call the doctor.
Dental Lamina Cysts
- Where: along the top of the gum ridge.
- What: small cysts that may look like teeth.
- Outcome: they usually resolve on their own.
How They Differ From Other Things
Thrush: white patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, lips, or gums that don’t wipe away easily, and may leave a red area when wiped. Thrush needs treatment.
Milk residue: a white coating on the tongue that wipes off easily.
Natal teeth: actual teeth present at birth, usually on the lower front gums.
Do They Need Treatment?
No. Don’t try to pop or scrape them. They don’t usually bother babies or affect feeding.
Call your baby’s doctor if: the bumps grow, bleed, or seem to bother your baby; your baby has white patches that don’t wipe away; or your baby is feeding poorly.
The Bottom Line
Small white bumps on a newborn’s gums or palate are common, harmless, and temporary. Leave them alone and mention them at a checkup if you’re unsure.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
- Natal Teeth: When Babies Are Born With Teeth
- Baby Acne, Cradle Cap, and Eczema: Telling Them Apart
- Bumps on a Newborn’s Head: Caput and Cephalohematoma
Sources
- Lewis ML. A comprehensive newborn exam: part I. General, head and neck, cardiopulmonary. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(5):289-296.
- Cataldo E, Berkman MD. Cysts of the oral mucosa in newborns. Am J Dis Child. 1968;116(1):44-48.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Mouth sores and bumps in newborns. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
