Poorly mineralised teeth
Written by Dentist Rune Skou, 2008-20-12Last update: 2010-01-01
Poorly mineralised teeth are teeth which don’t contain enough calcium.
How it works:
Teeth with lower than average calcium content are usually the result of a genetic variation which causes them to mineralise badly.
Normally either the dentine or the enamel are affected – it’s rare for both to be poorly mineralised.
The body’s defence mechanisms:
The body can’t do much again poorly mineralised teeth, as it’s its own genes which cause the abnormality.
Risk factors:
The risk of poorly mineralised teeth goes up if your family has a history of the condition.
Prevention:
Poorly mineralised teeth can easily lead to cavities and cracked, broken and overly sensitive teeth. This makes good dental hygiene especially important if you have the condition.
What will your dentist/dental hygienist do?
When poorly mineralised teeth have been diagnosed during an examination, the size and severity of the problem will be assessed and a variety of treatments offered. These may include no treatment, fluoride treatment, fillings, crowns and instruction on correct brushing technique.