In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on child tooth enamel, why it matters and some of the conditions that may arise if it’s not properly cared for. Enamel protects the teeth from various threats, but not all children develop optimal enamel – and may require specialized care.

At Southridge Pediatric Dentistry, we’re here to help. Our pediatric dental services include everything from basic cleanings and checkups to enamel protection and numerous other advanced areas, including for children who have not developed proper enamel or have a condition forming surrounding it. Today’s part two of our series will dig into how to prevent and treat enamel issues if they’re present in your child, plus why the assistance of professionals in the dental space is so valuable here.

Potential Causes of Enamel Issues

There are a few root causes that may lead to enamel concerns in your child, including:

• In utero: Most enamel conditions develop while a child is still in utero due to genetic issues or the mother’s poor dental habits while pregnant
• Premature birth
• Poor diet: Particularly before age five, lacking the nutrients to build enamel
• Medications: Certain medications the mother takes while pregnant, or that the child takes during their first few years of life, may cause enamel concerns
• Diseases: Such as pneumonia, high fever or infections to young children

Weak Enamel Prevention

For enamel issues that are purely related to genetics or birth complications, prevention isn’t really possible. However, for enamel concerns that arise due to other reasons, there are a couple basic themes:

• Diet: Both pregnant mothers and their eventual children should eat a balanced, healthy diet. Consult with your doctor and dentist for tips here.
• Protection: Do your best to protect your child’s teeth during the growth stage, including limiting their major impact risks.
• Professional assistance: Regular dental checkups and cleanings will help our dental staff identify enamel issues in your child early on, helping you change behaviors to limit the extent of the concern.

Treatment Methods

Treatment for some of the various conditions that arise due to weak enamel will vary on which condition takes place, plus how severe it is and some other factors involving each specific child. If the issues is hypomineralization of enamel, which we went over in part one, for instance, treatment will vary depending on how weak various teeth are. Treatments may run from fluoride options to sealants, bonding, steel crowns or even extraction of certain teeth that are too compromised and cannot be saved.

For more on how to prevent and treat weak enamel and related conditions in your child, or to learn about any of our pediatric dental services, speak to the staff at Southridge Pediatric Dentistry today.