3 Genetic Dental Disorders: What You Need to Know
Hereditary disorders can have a significant impact on the development of the teeth and gums. If your child has been diagnosed with a genetic condition, you may be looking for more information about what this means regarding their dental health. Below is a guide to 3 hereditary disorders which can affect the teeth and gums.
Hypodontia
Hypodontia is a condition which results in the absence of some of the adult teeth. As your child begins to lose their milk teeth, you may notice that some of them are not replaced by adult teeth. The teeth most commonly affected by hypodontia are the upper incisors and the premolars. While having a few missing teeth isn't a serious problem, this condition can lead to complications such as misaligned teeth and increased levels of tooth decay caused by food becoming trapped around the site of the missing teeth. In order to address these problems, a dentist may insert false teeth or fit a brace to fill any gaps and correct the alignment of the teeth.
Dentinogenesis imperfecta
Dentinogenesis imperfecta is a complication which arises from the genetic condition osteogenesis imperfecta, which results in brittle bones. This serious condition affects around one person in every 6000–8000. The primary symptom of this hereditary disease is the discolouration of the teeth, which can turn blue or even a reddish brown colour. The teeth may also become brittle and can easily break. There is no cure for this condition, but a dentist may carry out surgery in order to strengthen the teeth and to repair any damage.
Dentine dysplasia
Dentine dysplasia refers to a condition in which the roots of each tooth are too short, which means that the tooth is not properly anchored in place. This results in unstable teeth which are easily damaged or lost as a result of poor oral hygiene or physical trauma. Dentine dysplasia also increases the chance that your child will develop cysts on their gums. As there is no cure for dentine dysplasia, in order to protect the gums and preserve the teeth, your dentist will encourage your child to maintain their dental health to a very high standard.
If your child has been diagnosed with a genetic condition and you would like further advice and information, you should contact a dental professional today. Your dentist will be happy to assess your child's oral health before recommending further treatment and care.
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