What Are Chalky Teeth?

Have you noticed your child has one or more that look ‘chalky’ and where they are discoloured and are whiter than normal or has discoloured patches look off-white, or brown or yellow? Usually these patches are softer and more porous, so the tooth enamel is more easily eroded when your child eats, and the risk of developing tooth decay is higher. The proper name for this condition is hypomineralisation, and it occurs in teeth that have low amounts of calcium.

Hypomineralisation is quite common, and around one in six children are affected by this problem. It usually develops because teeth were damaged while still developing in your child’s jaw, sometimes because of a childhood illness. Prescription medications can also contribute to hypomineralisation. Genetics is another factor, as not every unwell child will develop hypomineralisation.

How Is Hypomineralisation Treated?

Although this problem isn’t linked to diet or dental hygiene, it is important to make sure your child eats healthily and brushes at least twice a day and flosses once-a-day. We can also help by assessing your child’s teeth to make sure it is hypomineralisation rather than tooth decay, and we can provide useful advice on how to manage the problem and protect and restore affected teeth.