How Does Cleft Lip/Palate Affect the Teeth? A cleft of the lip, gum (alveolus), and/or palate in the mouth can produce a variety of dental problems. These may involve the number, size, shape, and position of both the baby teeth and the permanent teeth. The teeth most commonly affected by the clefting process are those in the area of the cleft, which usually occurs between the cuspid (eye tooth) and the lateral incisor. Thus, the lateral incisor is most often affected. In some cases the lateral incisor may be entirely absent. In other cases there may be a duplicate of the lateral incisor so that one is present on each side of the cleft. In still other cases the incisor, or other teeth, may be present on each side of the cleft. In still other cases, the incisor, or other teeth, may be present but may be poorly formed with an abnormally shaped crown and/or root. Finally, the teeth in the area of the cleft may be displaced, resulting in their erupting into abnormal positions. Occasionally, the central incisors on the cleft side may have some of the same problems as the lateral incisor. What Does this Mean for Future Dental Care? A child with a cleft lip/palate requires the same regular dental care as the child without a cleft. However, since children with clefts may have special problems related to missing, malformed or malpositioned teeth, they require early evaluation by a dentist who is familiar with the needs of a child with a cleft. Early Dental Care With proper care, children born with a cleft lip and/or palate can have healthy teeth. This requires proper cleaning, good nutrition and fluoride treatment. Appropriate cleaning with a small, soft -bristled toothbrush should begin as…

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