What does it look like
Manifestations depend on how much and at what point the formation of enamel is disrupted. The mild form is white or yellowish spots with a smooth surface that do not progress. With a more pronounced form, transverse grooves, pinpoint depressions and pits are visible on the tooth; enamel may be absent in some areas, and darker dentin shines through it. It is characteristic that the defects are located at the same level on symmetrical teeth, because these teeth were formed at the same time.
- White and yellowish spots with a smooth surface
- Transverse grooves on the crown of the tooth
- Pinholes and depressions
- Areas without enamel with dentin showing through
- Symmetrical arrangement of defects
- Increased tooth sensitivity
Reasons
Milk teeth are formed in utero, so they are affected by severe toxicosis, infections and illnesses of the mother during pregnancy, and severe nutritional deficiency. Permanent teeth are formed and mineralized in the first years of life, and here prematurity and low birth weight, severe infections with high fever, rickets, kidney and intestinal diseases with malabsorption, and the use of certain medications are important. A separate reason is local: trauma or inflammation in the area of a baby tooth can damage the germ of a permanent tooth, and then the defect will be on only one tooth.
- Diseases and toxicosis during pregnancy
- Prematurity and low birth weight
- Severe infections in a child under 3 years of age
- Rickets and vitamin D deficiency
- Kidney disease and malabsorption
- Taking certain medications
- Injury or inflammation of a baby tooth
Why is it dangerous?
Underdeveloped enamel protects the tooth less well: it is thinner, more porous and more easily allows acids to pass through, which are released by plaque bacteria. Therefore, caries on such teeth develops faster and is more aggressive, and fillings do not hold up as well. Rough surfaces and grooves trap plaque, making the problem worse. Children with severe hypoplasia often complain of sensitivity when brushing and eating, so they brush their teeth worse, and the vicious circle closes. In addition, noticeable defects on the front teeth affect the child’s confidence in communication.
- Accelerated development of caries
- Poor retention of fillings
- Plaque delay in recesses
- Increased sensitivity
- Difficulties with hygiene
- Aesthetic and psychological consequences
Treatment
The main strategy is to protect what you have as much as possible. Professional hygiene and remineralization courses are carried out with calcium, phosphate and fluorine preparations that strengthen the surface. Chewing teeth with grooves are sealed so that plaque does not linger in the grooves. Defects are covered with filling materials: in children, glass ionomer cements, which themselves release fluoride, are often used; in adults, composite restorations and veneers are used. If the coronal part is significantly damaged, the tooth is restored with a crown. All methods are combined with regular examinations every 3–6 months.
- Professional oral hygiene
- Remineralizing therapy
- Fissure sealing
- Filling with glass ionomer materials
- Aesthetic restorations and veneers
- Crowns with severe destruction
- Checkups every 3–6 months
Prevention and care
It is impossible to completely prevent hypoplasia, but good nutrition and observation during pregnancy, prevention of rickets in a child, timely treatment of infections and careful attention to injuries to baby teeth can help reduce the risk: even without visible consequences, such a tooth should be shown to the dentist. If hypoplasia already exists, daily care plays a key role: brushing with a soft brush with fluoride paste in an age-appropriate dosage twice a day, limiting sugary drinks and snacks, and using dental floss. The first visit to the dentist is planned no later than the child’s first year of life.
- Monitoring and proper nutrition during pregnancy
- Prevention of rickets
- Treatment of infections in a child
- Examination after a baby tooth injury
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Limiting sugary drinks and snacks
- First visit to the dentist before one year