Teeth are fascinating, but we cannot deny that many problems can occur from these tiny pearls, especially in children. If a child’s teeth are damaged, sensitive to temperatures, and have some white spots on them, a child might be suffering from Enamel Hypoplasia. Note that this is not reversible, and there’s no cure.
Enamel hypoplasia is a developmental condition that impairs both the quality and amount of Enamel in the teeth. Moreover, because this is a developmental disorder, children are particularly prone to it. The bad thing is that they may be entirely clueless about the situation. This is why you should know about enamel hypoplasia and its treatment. Don’t worry; we will explain everything about Enamel Hypoplasia in this article.
The Importance of Enamel
The covering of the tooth visible when one looks inside their mouth is known as the Enamel. People aren’t usually informed that Enamel is very important for our teeth. Some of them think that the only function of Enamel is to act like a teeth wrapper.
Enamel is a calcified, porous substance made up of crystalline calcium phosphate. It’s also one of the hardest substances in our bodies. However, even if the Enamel is strong, it can still break and have some problems. In the absence of Enamel, your teeth are prone to tons of oral health disorders. One of these problems is enamel hypoplasia.
What is Enamel Hypoplasia, and How to Diagnose It?
Enamel hypoplasia is an enamel defect that only develops during tooth development; that’s why children are more prone to it. However, it can damage both baby teeth and permanent teeth. The condition causes enamel weakness, making teeth prone to dental decay. I’m sure you know how painful that is. People usually go through their childhood without knowing that they have Enamel Hypoplasia. However, when you discover you have one, there’s nothing you can do since it usually starts when you are starting to develop teeth.
When Enamel forms in the mouth, a “mess” can be caused by various factors, leaving parts of Enamel with suboptimal levels of strength. Depending on the severity, enamel hypoplasia might manifest as a small depression in the tooth or affect many teeth across the mouth. This will appear damaged or have some overbite. Doesn’t look good, right?
In addition, it typically manifests as grooves, pits, or lines inside teeth, either over the surface or in specific areas. Occasionally, the entire tooth may be stained a dark brown color. This can make the mouth very sensitive, particularly in young children who are just beginning to communicate vocally. Take note that this can cause a bit of pain that a child won’t be able to understand.
What Causes Enamel Hypoplasia?
Enamel hypoplasia is based on genetics, the environment, or a mix of the two. Something goes awry with the matrix production of Enamel during tooth development. The Enamel is either very thin or fragile or applied irregularly. In very rare cases, there’s no enamel at all.
Genetic Causes (Amelogenesis Imperfecta)
Enamel Hypoplasia can be passed through generations. There are a few genes that are highly linked to enamel hypoplasia. The disorder is known as amelogenesis imperfecta. The genes that drive enamel creation and development do not operate appropriately in ameloblasts, the cells that generate teeth. Teeth with minimal Enamel are common. Fortunately, this illness is relatively uncommon. Dental care is strongly advised for this type of case.
Environmental Factors
Environmental causes can potentially induce enamel hypoplasia. When a newborn or toddler is exposed to specific circumstances during the development of their teeth, they may acquire hypoplastic Enamel. Environmental variables that commonly induce enamel hypoplasia include:
- Tooth damage.
- Maternal well-being.
- Premature delivery.
- Birth weight is low.
- Infections.
- Calcium deficiency.
- Deficiency of vitamins A, C, or D.
- Gluten intolerance.
- Fluorosis (too much fluoride).
The good news is that many of these environmental variables may be addressed to lower your child’s chance of having enamel hypoplasia. Once you discover that environmental factor causes tooth problems in your child, make sure to give your very best to provide everything your child is lacking, especially regarding nutrition.
Treatment
If you notice the symptoms above manifesting in your child or other children, it’s important to take them to a pediatric dentist immediately. If you are in Roseville, you can visit Roseville pediatric dentist for a consult. They provide the best care for the dental health of your children and will even give you some helpful tips on how to properly take good care of their teeth. They also provide other services such as cleaning and check-ups. Otherwise, you can contact your local pediatric dentist.
On an important note, remember that enamel hypoplasia is not a disease. It indicates some form of stress you or your child went through. This stress disrupts the enamel matrix’s secretion, preventing proper growth. Also, keep in mind that Enamel cannot be regrown. As a result, enamel hypoplasia is irreversible. But, no need to worry; children can still healthily live their life. With the help of a pediatric dentist, enamel hypoplasia won’t affect their way of living.
You may need to seek preventive remedies depending on the severity of the condition. You can avoid more tooth harm this way. The severity of the problem determines the treatment for enamel hypoplasia. To minimize tooth decay, dentists may prescribe routine maintenance and treatment with specific attention paid to the afflicted region.
In certain circumstances, aesthetic changes such as dental whitening may be required to match the discolored tooth to the whiter, natural teeth. A sealant, filling, or crown may be recommended by your dentist for more significant issues.
What are the Possible Risks of Enamel Hypoplasia?
Tooth decay is the most common risk of enamel hypoplasia. People with hypoplastic Enamel are at a considerably higher risk of acquiring caries because the enamel layer is so thin. Untreated dental decay can cause excruciating pain, root canals, tooth extraction, and even infections.
What if you don’t have any enamel on your teeth? What if you are one of those rare cases? If you had no enamel on your teeth, they would be very sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages. They’d be brownish-yellow in hue with a rough texture. Your teeth would also swiftly deteriorate and develop cavities. Fortunately, having no enamel at all is uncommon. The majority of people have some enamel on their teeth.
Conclusion
If your kid exhibits enamel hypoplasia symptoms, you should take them to the dentist right once. At each exam, a pediatric dentist will look for healthy enamel growth. We encourage kids to come in and be checked before their first birthday.
Your youngster can benefit from a variety of restorative and aesthetic therapies. However, it is also crucial to note that primary dental care, such as brushing and eating healthy, is still one of the best strategies. Make contact with a knowledgeable dental specialist to explore various treatment choices especially if you are curious about other dental needs like everything you need to know about same-day crowns.
