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Parenting

Tooth enamel defect

12 replies

Choccyaddict4eva · 06/08/2022 12:03

Hello all,

my 13 year old finally managed to have a dental check up after two years (thanks Covid) and the dentist informed us that he has a tooth enamel defect, meaning that he is more prone to tooth decay (cavities were sadly found despite brushing twice a day) and more prone to his teeth being a more yellowish colour. Can anyone recommend a good toothpaste that can specifically help with protecting his teeth?

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incognitodorrito · 06/08/2022 12:16

My daughter is the same but thankfully we picked it up early. Your dentist will be able to prescribe a toothpaste with higher fluoride content than can be bought over the counter. You also need to book regular hygiene appointments and ensure they use those little brushes for in between teeth and dental floss as just brushing won’t get everything clean. She also uses this once weekly which provides extra protection. We lived in Germany and my dentist there recommended it. So far we’ve managed to avoid any cavities but I’ve been quite strict (as my teeth were absolutely rotten at the same age and it’s cost me ££££ to have implants, bridges etc !)

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Choccyaddict4eva · 06/08/2022 12:49

incognitodorrito · 06/08/2022 12:16

My daughter is the same but thankfully we picked it up early. Your dentist will be able to prescribe a toothpaste with higher fluoride content than can be bought over the counter. You also need to book regular hygiene appointments and ensure they use those little brushes for in between teeth and dental floss as just brushing won’t get everything clean. She also uses this once weekly which provides extra protection. We lived in Germany and my dentist there recommended it. So far we’ve managed to avoid any cavities but I’ve been quite strict (as my teeth were absolutely rotten at the same age and it’s cost me ££££ to have implants, bridges etc !)

@incognitodorrito thanks so much, that’s really helpful. So far my dentist hasn’t recommended anything! Can I purchase the toothpaste in the U.K.? Unfortunately I found out that my son was buying bags of sweets on the way to school and sometimes on the way home (!) despite my constant warnings over the years about sugary snacks 🤦🏻‍♀️😩 so I’ve had to limit how much access he has to his pocket money! Although he’s had a wake up call now and has realised he shouldn’t have done that. Well done on managing to keep the cavities at bay for your daughter!

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incognitodorrito · 06/08/2022 13:35

I think we just got lucky in that it was noticed pre covid. This is the toothpaste that my DDs dentist prescribed her 6 tubes of. I did have to ask if there was anything that could be prescribed, it wasn’t offered proactively. Might be worth asking your Sons dentist ? I get that weekly paste from Germany but might be worth a Google to see if you can get it here ?

Tooth enamel defect
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Choccyaddict4eva · 06/08/2022 15:05

incognitodorrito · 06/08/2022 13:35

I think we just got lucky in that it was noticed pre covid. This is the toothpaste that my DDs dentist prescribed her 6 tubes of. I did have to ask if there was anything that could be prescribed, it wasn’t offered proactively. Might be worth asking your Sons dentist ? I get that weekly paste from Germany but might be worth a Google to see if you can get it here ?

We’ve got an appointment on Monday so I will definitely ask. Yes I’ll have a look, thanks again 😊

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dementedpixie · 06/08/2022 15:15

Think that toothpaste is a prescription item. My ds had some prescribed at one point by the dentist.

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Endlesslypatient82 · 06/08/2022 15:17

Did you get the name of the condition?

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AngelsWithSilverWings · 06/08/2022 15:18

@Choccyaddict4eva my DD has this too. Apparently the cause is having chicken pox before the age of 5 ( according to the dentist)

We were never advised to use any different toothpaste until we changed to a new dentist just after the last lockdown who gave us a prescription for special toothpaste. We've run out of it now just I'm hoping we will get some more at her next check up.

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dementedpixie · 06/08/2022 15:18

Was it enamel hypoplasia?

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Endlesslypatient82 · 06/08/2022 15:19

AngelsWithSilverWings · 06/08/2022 15:18

@Choccyaddict4eva my DD has this too. Apparently the cause is having chicken pox before the age of 5 ( according to the dentist)

We were never advised to use any different toothpaste until we changed to a new dentist just after the last lockdown who gave us a prescription for special toothpaste. We've run out of it now just I'm hoping we will get some more at her next check up.

Same here. My dd. Multiple antibiotics apparently before 5

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dementedpixie · 06/08/2022 15:19

My ds has this and it affects his molars. He also had chickenpox at 6 months old

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AhTheMemories · 06/08/2022 15:33

My DD has (had) enamel hypoplasia of her molars. Her dentist referred her to the orthodontist team at the maxillofacial unit in our local hospital.

We all agreed that the molars needed to be removed, under general anaesthetic, when she was 13, poor love. From her X-rays, the maxillofacial team were very confident that he wisom teeth would descend to fill the gap left, and they indeed did.

In parallel, she was train-track braced so that the rest of her teeth were kept in good alignment. It was a long saga and one of the orthodontists was a massive prick (long story), but it all worked out in the end and we're grateful it was delivered by the NHS.

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starray · 06/08/2022 15:50

I thought the condition was called MIH....Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH)

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