How does enamel degradation occur?

Enamel degradation can occur in various ways. First of all, there is the bacteria-induced, carious loss of enamel. By means of plaque accumulation on the teeth, bacteria settle on the tooth enamel and form ever larger holes through their metabolic products.

Furthermore, the acid-induced tooth enamel degradation, also called erosion, must be mentioned here. Here, frequent and above all regular acid intake, for example through soft drinks or frequent vomiting, creates a low pH value in the mouth, which triggers a continuous demineralization. Due to the long exposure time, the body can no longer regulate this itself – enamel degradation occurs. Mechanical factors are another possibility. These are the degradation of enamel due to nightly pressing or grinding of the teeth and incorrect brushing technique.

What is an enamel disorder?

An enamel disorder is a malformation of the tooth enamel. It can be genetic, as in the case of Amelogenesis imperfecta. In this case, the enamel-forming cells, the ameloblasts, are missing, which means that there is no enamel and the teeth are severely damaged from the beginning without external influence.

But also wrong behaviour or malnutrition in childhood can cause enamel disorders. Particularly in the case of overfluoridation, brown spots often appear on the permanent teeth, which are then also very susceptible to caries. An excessive dose of fluoride occurs when children are given fluoride tablets over a long period of time in addition to normal food and fluoride-containing toothpaste.

As with fluorosis, Amalogenesis imperfecta also causes brown discoloration of the enamel. These are the product of incomplete enamel formation. The cause is usually a hereditary malformation of the enamel formation.

The rest of the tooth is normally formed. Since the malformation is cosmetically disturbing, it must be removed by prosthetic measures. Enamel hypoplasia is also a developmental disorder.

Whitish spots are embedded in the tooth enamel. The enamel hypoplasia can mainly occur when the calcium balance is not in order. However, with today’s rickets prophylaxis with vitamin D, the development of such hypoplasia has become rare. Infectious diseases or nutritional disorders can also lead to hypoplasia of the dental enamel. From the position of the spots in the enamel, one can draw conclusions about the period of enamel development at which these disorders occurred.