When you talk about dental issues among adults there are a plethora of things that will come up. When you talk about issues that come up with kids the list seems to be limited to injuries, cavities and minor issues. The problem is that this makes parents think that your children’s teeth are not to be worried about but that is far from the truth. When it comes to teeth there is a lot that goes on during childhood development that will impact your teeth as an adult. It is best to understand more about the issues that can affect your child’s teeth. One area that you should learn more about happens to be enamel. This is not an issue that comes up later in life but can start early when your child still has their baby teeth. Smile Reef outlines what you need to know about weak enamel when it comes to your kids teeth.
What is Tooth Enamel Made Of?
The first thing that you need to know is that the enamel that you have on your teeth is necessary and plays a big role in protecting your teeth. Enamel is the hardest material in the human body and forms on teeth and is the white part of the tooth that you can see. It is made mostly of an extremely hard mineral called calcium phosphate. The problem is that you have this on baby teeth as well as adult teeth. There can be issues that cause your enamel to not form properly or to become damaged.
What Causes Weak Enamel?
There are things that you might be doing to weaken your enamel but there are things that you may not be able to control. Some kids show up with weak enamel from developmental delays and problems. It can come from your kid taking in too much fluoride and not being monitored. It can be caused from a bad diet that consists of high levels of sugar and acidic drinks. You also might have an issue with your enamel if you have a history of high fevers as well. These are all things that have shown to effect the formation of the enamel.
How Do You Know if Your Child’s Teeth have Weak Enamel?
If you are not sure about the enamel that is formed on your kids teeth you can always ask your pediatric dentist. If you start to notice that your child has holes in their teeth it can be a sign that there is weak enamel. You also might see what is called mottled teeth or even teeth that are considered enamel hypoplasia. These are all things that happen when the enamel is trying to from and is not able to do so. The enamel will need some help to protect the teeth.
Can You Fix Weak Enamel?
If you find that your child does have weak enamel and you want to do something about it you want to talk with your dentist. The issue is that enamel is not something that can be replaced on the tooth because it is supposed to happen naturally. That does not mean there is nothing that can be done. You can have sealants added to your child’s teeth or even have bonding done. The dentist may even suggest a crown in instances that are severe or has a high level of decay.
Pediatric Dentistry
Smile Reef can ensure that your child is comfortable at our office and that all of their dental needs are taken care of. Call us today to make your appointment.
