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Original poster

Am I horrible for asking? DH small teeth..

36 replies

Cantdoanythingright1 · 29/02/2024 11:04

DH has small teeth and he has always joked that he still hasn’t lost his baby teeth yet. I’m guessing it’s a genetic thing as a few of his family members have it. I’ve never thought anything about it but I was brushing my daughters teeth this morning and I just thought bloody hell they are tiny.

My 2 sons don’t have it only DS who is 5 and I would have expected her to be loosing a tooth soon DH said he didn’t loose his until high school. All I asked was whether it was a condition and is there a name for it.

He’s gone absolutely mad at me and is in denial saying her teeth are normal and that I’m crazy.I never said they wasn’t fine I was just asking because I’m sure his mum would have had similar questions when he was little.

She has a lot of gum and a small amount of teeth and I’m assuming it may cause some insecurity for her as she gets older so I just wanted to know a bit more.

OP posts:
DorothyZ · 29/02/2024 11:05

Presumably your daughter has small teeth becsue she is a small child.

Original poster
Cantdoanythingright1 · 29/02/2024 11:06

DorothyZ · 29/02/2024 11:05

Presumably your daughter has small teeth becsue she is a small child.

No because DS who is 1 nearly 2 has bigger teeth than DD.

OP posts:
Hermittrismegistus · 29/02/2024 11:06

YANBU. Very small teeth and not losing until high school is odd, I'd be curious wondering if it was a condition.

Bushmillsbabe · 29/02/2024 11:08

What does your dentist say? They are best ones to advise.
My daughter has an issue with missing baby and adult teeth, only identified by an xray, so if not had an xray yet, might be worth asking if can have one

CrunchyCarrot · 29/02/2024 11:08

If it's a genetic condition, and I believe there is a genetic condition for small teeth, then it's possible your daughter has inherited it. No need for your DH to go mad about it. Best dealt with in a straightforward and logical manner. You can see several members of DH's family have this, too. There's nothing wrong with you asking about it or making observations.

BoohooWoohoo · 29/02/2024 11:08

Yanbu to ask him but as he’s clearly sensitive, ask the dentist at her next checkup.

ScarlettSunset · 29/02/2024 11:09

My partner still has a lot of baby teeth. In his 40s.
I don't know if there's a name for it, but it's never caused him a problem.
I don't quite understand why your husband would get upset about you asking about it though. I don't think you'll really know if it will be the same for your daughter until she is a bit older though as presumably she is herself very small still if you're brushing her teeth for her.

BreakingAndBroke · 29/02/2024 11:11

Amelogenesis imperfecta. Google.

WandaWonder · 29/02/2024 11:11

Why not ask the dentist instead?

Maybeicanhelpyou · 29/02/2024 11:12

If he’s sensitive about it, maybe you could ask his mum.
The condition is called Microdontia, it’s rare for it to involve all the teeth. Very occasionally it is associated with other linked medical genetic issues, but that really is extremely rare, and if that was the case you’d already know.

ZekeZeke · 29/02/2024 11:14

Have you taken your children to the dentist?
Do you/ your DH attend the dentist regularly yourselves?

Bushmillsbabe · 29/02/2024 11:14

ScarlettSunset · 29/02/2024 11:09

My partner still has a lot of baby teeth. In his 40s.
I don't know if there's a name for it, but it's never caused him a problem.
I don't quite understand why your husband would get upset about you asking about it though. I don't think you'll really know if it will be the same for your daughter until she is a bit older though as presumably she is herself very small still if you're brushing her teeth for her.

Thats interesting, my daughter has retained some baby teeth and we have been told by 3 dentists that she needs them removed ASAP (our dentist, a specialist dentist and an orthodontist) as will cause lots of problems when older as her adult teeth won't come through and baby teeth gradually dissolve, so will be left with big gaps?

Original poster
Cantdoanythingright1 · 29/02/2024 11:17

We are all at the dentist on Monday so I will ask then. We have struggled to join a NHS dentist since relocating.

I have googled but he is telling me it’s all wrong and that’s not what it is.

OP posts:
NatMoz · 29/02/2024 11:20

My husband 36, has at least 2 baby teeth still.

His sister also has a baby tooth.

All fine at the moment but may have to be extracted in the next 10 years.

DorothyZ · 29/02/2024 11:22

No because DS who is 1 nearly 2 has bigger teeth than DD.

But your DD is still a young child? So comparing the teeth of 2 small children isn't going to be indicative of an issue with small teeth in adulthood.

SilverBranchGoldenPears · 29/02/2024 11:23

I know someone who had this- all of them and now as an adult they are falling apart and her mouth is an utter mess. You need to ask her dentist.

Sleepydoor · 29/02/2024 11:24

Bushmillsbabe · 29/02/2024 11:14

Thats interesting, my daughter has retained some baby teeth and we have been told by 3 dentists that she needs them removed ASAP (our dentist, a specialist dentist and an orthodontist) as will cause lots of problems when older as her adult teeth won't come through and baby teeth gradually dissolve, so will be left with big gaps?

Show quote history

My DC had to have his baby upper canines pulled at age 16 and exposure and bonding of the impacted adult canines that were horizontal in his upper palate. The gum is removed to place chains on the teeth and have them pulled into place. This may have been avoided if he had his baby teeth pulled earlier.

Moltenpink · 29/02/2024 11:25

Bushmillsbabe · 29/02/2024 11:14

Thats interesting, my daughter has retained some baby teeth and we have been told by 3 dentists that she needs them removed ASAP (our dentist, a specialist dentist and an orthodontist) as will cause lots of problems when older as her adult teeth won't come through and baby teeth gradually dissolve, so will be left with big gaps?

Show quote history

So she does have adult teeth? I have a baby tooth, but there is a missing adult tooth so taking it out would never have helped me.

Sleepydoor · 29/02/2024 11:27

@moltenpink Are you sure you don't have impacted adult teeth that never moved into place to push the baby teeth out?

HayleyBay · 29/02/2024 11:37

What colour are they? My daughter and I have dentinogenesis imperfecta so our teeth don't have proper enamel, they are small and weak and grey/brown colour. It is genetic.

Original poster
Cantdoanythingright1 · 29/02/2024 11:52

she has lovely teeth they are super white and healthy! Just very very small.

OP posts:
MonsteraMama · 29/02/2024 11:55

Sounds like it's something he's a bit insecure about, hence the (completely uncalled for) blow up.

Just speak to the dentist, mention the family history. They'll know if it's anything to worry about.

Luckymum20 · 29/02/2024 13:19

Look up hypodontia.

My daughter has this. If you have any doubts see a dentist ASAP. An x-ray will confirm if the adult teeth are waiting in the gums or not. I wish I had investigated this sooner. It is genetic / hereditary - although we know of no one in mine or my husbands family who has this.

Maybeicanhelpyou · 29/02/2024 13:25

Dentist here!
Hypodontia, is some teeth missing,
Microdontia, is small teeth.

LutonBeds · 29/02/2024 13:29

I worked with someone, now in his 60s who never lost his baby teeth. His DC did though. It’s never caused him any issues and his dentist wasn’t bothered either.