Most babies don’t start getting teeth until they’re many months old, but every once in a while, a baby comes out of the womb with a tooth already poking through its gums. These rare pre-birth teeth are called natal teeth, and while they’re uncommon, they’re perfectly natural. Of course, no one knew that centuries ago, and they came up with some pretty wild theories about what these odd toothy babies might become. Depending on the culture, being born with teeth could mean you were destined for greatness or that you might grow into something very unpleasant. Here are eight of the strangest beliefs associated with babies born with teeth.
They Were Destined to Become Great Leaders
Being born with teeth was sometimes seen as a sign that a child was sure to live an extraordinary life. Ancient Roman writers claimed natal teeth predicted future greatness. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder discussed natal teeth and their significance, although his interpretations changed based on the baby’s sex and other circumstances. It was said that Napoleon Bonaparte had been born with teeth, although this claim is obviously impossible to verify. Funny that arriving in the world with a tiny tooth sticking out of your gums was equated with leadership potential.
They Might Become Dangerous Supernatural Beings
Not every culture treated babies born with teeth as a positive sign. In some parts of Europe, teeth at birth were signs of future supernatural danger. Unsurprisingly, these unfortunate babies were associated with toothy creatures like vampires and werewolves. A child born with teeth was cause for suspicion instead of admiration.
Their Birth Could Bring Bad Luck to the Family
At times, natal teeth were bad news, not just for the baby in question, but for the entire family. Instead of predicting success for the child, the birth was a bad omen of misfortune for parents and relatives. Historical accounts describe variation in how these babies were treated, but some communities thought natal teeth a serious warning that something terrible was coming. Illness, death, or something else tragic was surely on the way. Some of the darker superstitions about natal teeth involved direct indications of death. Historical medical texts record beliefs that teeth present at birth could mean mommy or daddy’s demise. This was particularly discomforting in an era when infant and maternal mortality rates were already very high. As a family member, this was one birth announcement you weren’t particularly excited about.
Their Teeth Could Predict Their Future Personality
The idea that a person’s physical characteristics told something about their future was widespread throughout history. Babies born with teeth were said to have strong personalities or to be destined for lives of conflict. These early teeth were associated with aggression, stubbornness, and a very forceful nature. On the positive side, those same traits could be interpreted as courage and determination. People were fully prepared to make some significant judgments about a child’s personality before the baby could even focus its eyes.
They Might Have Extraordinary Strength
Certain cultures looked at natal teeth as signs of vitality and physical strength. The reasoning here was actually somewhat logical: a baby who arrived with advanced dental features might be advanced in other areas as well. We wonder about all the babies who grew up to be perfectly average, disappointing their parents in the process.