Epstein Pearls Definition Symptoms Causes Treatment

Epstein pearls are benign, meaning they are not dangerous to your baby. They do not require treatment and will go away on their own over the course of a few weeks.

Characteristics of Epstein Pearls  

Epstein pearls contain keratin, a protein found in skin and other mucous membranes. They may resemble small pimples in your baby’s mouth and are generally painless. Epstein pearls are:

Known to appear on their own or in clusters of 2 to 6 Less common in first-born babiesMore common in higher birthweight babiesMore common in Japanese, White, and Black babiesA range of sizes, from less than a millimeter to several millimeters in diameter

Identifying Epstein Pearls

Although Epstein pearls are harmless and do not require treatment, it’s best to have a pediatrician take a look at your child to make sure that’s what you’re dealing with. Bumps in your baby’s mouth may be caused by another condition that might need medical treatment, such as thrush (a yeast infection). It can be difficult to distinguish Epstein pearls from other conditions on your own. In some very rare cases, small white bumps on the gums can even turn out to be something a little more surprising: natal teeth, which are developing teeth that can appear in the newborn period.

Causes

Epstein pearls are not preventable, nor are they caused by anything a parent did or didn’t do during pregnancy. When a baby’s mouth reaches the final stages of development during pregnancy, the sides of the jaw and the palate (roof of the mouth) begin to fuse together. When that happens, some of the layers of skin can get stuck." This is what leads to Epstein pearls.

Treatment 

Sometimes, the friction from breastfeeding, drinking a bottle, using a teether, or sucking on a pacifier can break down the cysts and help them dissolve.

A Word From Verywell

Seeing anything you don’t expect when looking at your child can be concerning. But rest assured that if they do have Epstein pearls, they are not in pain or in need of any treatment. In addition, these cysts eventually self-resolve naturally.