Enamel Hypoplasia is a condition that results in having less enamel than normal. It can affect both baby and permanent teeth. Most of the time it happens before the age of three, when the enamel is still developing and more vulnerable to genetic or environmental factors.

Enamel Hypoplasia can look like a small dent or affect the size and shape of the entire tooth. The defect can also occur on multiple teeth. The appearance varies from white, yellow or brownish color, with a rough surface. Patients sometimes experience sensitivity and are more susceptible to cavities.

Factors such as infection or fever during pregnancy, premature birth, vitamin A, C or D deficiency, hereditary disorders and some medications taken during tooth formation can affect both baby and permanent teeth. Environmental factors include trauma to the teeth, fluorosis, and exposure to toxic chemicals at a young age.

Treatment options vary from sealing or bonding for less severe cases, to stainless steel crowns that protect more severe cases from sensitivity or wear. In some instances, extractions are necessary and can be replaced by a bridge or an implant.

Fortunately, mild cases of enamel hypoplasia can be controlled by practicing good oral hygiene habits, avoiding sugary foods and getting fluoride treatments. The treatment for Enamel Hypoplasia should be determined on an individual basis between the dentist and the family.

When talking to your child, please refer to this list. It is always good to keep a positive attitude when discussing dental treatment with your child so they will develop an independent and positive attitude toward dental care throughout their lives.

Here are some tips that may be helpful in weaning your child from his or her habit:

Thumb/Finger Habit

• Empower your child to motivate the change of habit (ex: Remind your child that they are a big girl/boy)

• Praise your child for the times that he or she is not sucking fingers/thumb instead of confronting when they do.

• Use reward or positive reinforcement for motivation. We have a special prize box for children that are able to discontinue their habit by their next 6 month cleaning appointment.

• Reminder method:

  • Use a mitten on the fingers/thumb of choice at night time when sleeping

  • Use an Ace Bandage on the elbow as a helpful reminder not to raise their hand to insert thumb/finger

  • Mavala Stop is a bitter-tasting, but harmless nail polish that can be effective in stopping a thumb/finger habit (this product can be found on Amazon.com)

• A Habit Appliance can be cemented near the roof of the mouth and used as a permanent deterrence when other efforts are not successful

Pacifier Habit

• Gradual approach: Pacifier is limited to bed time/ nap time (child must leave pacifier in crib/bed/ by pillow) and is eventually removed completely

• Cut the end of the pacifier little by little: This will eliminate the satisfaction the child may get from sucking on the pacifier

• Use reward or positive reinforcement for motivation: We have a special prize box for children that are able to discontinue their habit by their next 6 month cleaning appointment

• Take a trip to Build-A-Bear: The child can insert the pacifier into a stuffed animal so they always have it with them. This may still provide the comfort of having the pacifier without the negative effects on their mouth

• Pacifier Fairy: Similar to the tooth fairy idea. The child places the pacifier under his or her pillow and the pacifier will take it and give it to another baby

• Sugars and starches mix with the bacteria that live in your mouth, producing acids that cause cavities.

•  Snacking less than three times a day allows saliva to counteract the effect of acids and repair tooth enamel.

CHILDREN LOVE SUGARY SNACKS, BUT SUGARY AND STARCHY SNACKS CAUSE SUGAR BUGS!!!

Here are some tips to keep those SUGAR BUGS away:

1. Don’t let your child eat continuously. Children tend to be grazers, so when enjoying a snack, sit down and finish the snack in one sitting. Then you can go back to play!

2. Drink water after snacking to rinse the sugar off the teeth. If you can brush after snacking, that’s even better!

3. Chewing sugar-free gum that contains Xylitol (as a snack or after a meal) reduces plaque and the ability for it to stick to teeth.

4. Eat cheese and fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods increase saliva flow which neutralizes damaging acids.

Foods that are GOOD for your Teeth

Cheese, String Cheese, Eggs & Nuts
Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, Cottage Cheese & Frozen Yogurt
Sugar free Gum (Especially w/Xylitol), Meat & Water

Foods/Snacks to Keep Limited

Dried Fruit, Raisins, Honey & Juice
Fruit Rolls, Fruit Snacks, Donuts, Sports Drinks (Gatorade)
Lollipops, Hard Candy, Bananas & Soda
Chewy Granola Bars, Crackers/Cookies, Energy Drinks (Rockstar)
Chips, Cake, Tea & Coffee with sugar
Pop Tarts, Popsicles/Otter Pops & Mochas
Jellies, Jams, Milk & Kool-Aid

Foods That May Break your Teeth

Tortilla Chips, French bread, Croutons & Popcorn
Corn Nuts, Jolly Ranchers, Jawbreakers & Hard Granola Bars

Things You Can Do To Prevent Early Childhood Caries:

• Never put a baby in his/her crib with a bottle or sippy cup. When sleeping, tooth-decay causing sugars can pool in his/her mouth for hours, causing what is known as “tooth bottle decay.”

• If you are nursing, wipe your baby’s teeth with a damp washcloth or xylitol wipes such as Spiffies after you are done. Avoid using the bottle or breast as a pacifier!

• Wean your baby off the bottle between the ages of 12 and 18 months old. You can introduce your baby to a sippy cup with water at about six months of age. This way, drinking water becomes a good habit.

• The best way to avoid decay is to have your child finish the drink within 20 minutes. Do not let your child walk around with a bottle or sippy cup all day long.

• In order to avoid the transmission of decay-causing bacteria, avoid using the same spoon to taste and feed your baby or cleaning a pacifier in your own mouth before passing it to your child.

• Limit sugar intake, even before your baby gets teeth! The sugar is fuel for the bacteria in your child’s mouth. The bacteria produce acids that will attack tooth enamel. If you give your baby fruit juice, make sure it is diluted (50% water/50% juice) and no more than six ounces daily. Milk, formula and breast milk are especially harmful if given too frequently or at bedtime. Switch to water instead.

• Fluoride reduces the incidence of early childhood tooth decay. At age two you can start using a pea-size amount of toothpaste with fluoride, but make sure you wipe the teeth before your child rinses to prevent ingestion.

• Bring your child for his/her first dental visit by the first birthday or six months after the first tooth erupts. We make the first visit fun for the child and it is a great opportunity for you to ask questions about your child’s oral health.

• Make sure everyone in the family visits the dentist every six months to insure good oral health and to prevent future problems.

REMEMBER: Good oral habits should begin at birth so good oral health continues for the rest of our lives!