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Tooth Surface Loss In Children: What Parents Should Know

Health & Medical Blog

Unless it's the direct result of an accident, the loss of a tooth's surface area is generally caused by enamel erosion. This is a slow process involving the gradual erosion of the surface enamel that protects each tooth. It can be caused by the acid produced by oral bacteria as they interact with sugars and carbohydrates that have been consumed. Because it's a slow process, sometimes occurring over years, it's often seen in adult teeth. But it's not exclusively an adult problem.

Tooth Surface Loss in Children

It's becoming increasingly common for children to experience tooth surface loss. The issue can be present in both primary, deciduous (baby) teeth, as well as secondary, permanent (adult) teeth. There are a number of elements that contribute to tooth surface loss, but they're often primarily extrinsic, as in they come from an external (dietary) source. 

Few Obvious Symptoms

Tooth surface loss doesn't always present obvious symptoms. Your child may complain of increased tooth sensitivity. This is because the loss of enamel has exposed the dentin beneath it, and this often allows the nerve at the center of the tooth to register thermal sensitivity. There might be some discoloration, but this is difficult for a layperson to identify. There won't be dark spots (the hallmark of a cavity), as tooth surface loss is not the same as a cavity, although it creates an ideal environment for a cavity to develop. In many cases, the surface loss will first be identified by your child's pediatric dentist.

Counteracting Lost Enamel

A tooth's enamel cannot regrow itself, so a dentist will need to counteract the loss of the tooth's surface. When the loss is minor, causing a thinning of enamel instead of creating coverage gaps, the best intervention can be tooth remineralization. This can involve fluoride varnish or the application of transparent dental sealants to the biting surfaces of rear teeth—which are common pediatric dental care services. This strengthens the remaining enamel and can help to prevent further loss. 

Replacing Lost Enamel

Sometimes remineralization will have little effect. This is when the tooth must be restored. Its deficient enamel can be replaced with dental bonding, which is when the tooth's surface is treated with a composite dental resin, creating a new surface. This method can be used on both primary and secondary teeth. 

Tooth surface loss in children must be treated as soon as it has been identified. Delays allow cavities to form, and the future of the tooth itself can be in jeopardy. If you have more questions, contact a local pediatric dental care service.

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11 August 2021