Manufacturer news from DMG
MIH Is No Child's Play: How Chalky Teeth Affect Young Patients
Published on
At a Glance:
- Prevalence: In Germany, one in seven 12-year-olds is affected by MIH (15.3%; DMS 6).1
- Symptom burden: In addition to aesthetic issues that can affect social interactions, those affected often suffer from hypersensitivity, which makes eating and brushing their teeth difficult.2,3
- Structural risk: MIH teeth often have elevated protein content and reduced mineral content, making them porous, which can lead to increased susceptibility to post-eruptive enamel loss and the development of carious lesions. 1,4,5
This isn’t the first time this month that a child with white, yellowish, or brown spots on their teeth has come into your office. You can surely imagine how this must feel for the children affected. Think back, for example, to your first day of school. The excitement, new people, and unfamiliar faces—smiling with chalky teeth? It’s practically unthinkable.
Children with molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) are actually not uncommon, and you may encounter them regularly in your daily practice. The lack of a treatment strategy for MIH—or a “wait-and-see” approach—can be frustrating: for the children, for concerned parents, and for you as the treating dentist.
MIH: More Than Just a Marginal Phenomenon
A child with MIH is not an isolated case; rather, it can be an everyday reality in your practice. The numbers speak for themselves. In Germany, on average, one in seven 12-year-olds suffers from MIH, which corresponds to a prevalence of 15.3%.1 This makes it clear: MIH, colloquially known as “chalk teeth,” is a condition that affects many children and whose treatment deserves attention. Although approximately 63.3% of MIH cases are mild, early diagnosis is beneficial for the further course of the disease.1,6
Focus on Patients: Daily Life with MIH
Perhaps the high number of cases is also reflected in your day-to-day practice.
But what does a diagnosis of MIH mean for your young patients, and what is it like to live with it? Especially in everyday life, MIH can have far-reaching effects on children’s quality of life and pose a daily challenge for those affected.3
From Visibility to Tangibility
The impact of MIH on your patients’ lives can take many different forms. Statements such as, “Why don’t you brush your teeth properly?” or “Why do your teeth look so strange?” can be hurtful and are rife with prejudice. This highlights that discoloration of the incisors, in particular, can influence the aesthetic (self-)perception of those affected and be a source of distress.7,8
For those affected, MIH causes many symptoms that go beyond cosmetic concerns. Patients often suffer from tooth sensitivity, which can lead to problems in everyday life.3 This can occur while brushing their teeth, eating hot or cold foods, or chewing.2,3
These physical symptoms can also have an impact on daily life and mental health, as they can significantly affect quality of life.3
Focus on Tooth Structure: What Happens in the Enamel
Why are teeth affected by MIH often sensitive, porous, and visually altered at the same time?
A look beneath the surface provides the key clues. Many of the clinically visible and palpable characteristics result from histological changes in the tooth. The protein content of the teeth is elevated, while the mineral content is lower, making the tooth porous—a condition that, if left untreated, can increasingly lead to enamel breakdown.1,4 Furthermore, there is evidence that teeth affected by MIH have an increased risk of caries, which can present patients with additional challenges.5
Act Now?
The combination of visible changes, hypersensitivity, and structural characteristics of tooth structure underscores the need for clear diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in your daily practice. Given the high prevalence of these conditions, the question arises as to how you can systematically address treatment needs in your practice.
MIH Treatment at Your Practice
The statistics and symptoms of those affected speak for themselves and show that MIH treatments can play a regular role in your practice as well. Statistically, out of 100 pediatric treatments per month, 13 to 15 MIH cases can be expected.1
The good news for you and your patients? There are modern, minimally invasive treatment methods that can be efficiently integrated into and implemented as part of your daily practice routine. When you have the right answers for your patients, this not only builds trust with patients and their families, but also strategically positions your practice. Because at MIH, patient loyalty begins early on, and the right treatment strategy can be the foundation for working hand in hand with the entire family.
Sources
1. Jordan R et al. DMS 6 Bekes K et al. 2025; 70–4.
2. Schwendicke F et al. J Dent. 2018; 68: 10–8.
3. Joshi T et al. Clin Oral Investig. 2022; 26: 1753–9.
4. Farah RA et al. J Dent. 2010; 38: 591–6.
5. Americano GCA et al. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2017; 27: 11–21.
6. Lygidakis NA et al. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry. 2021; 23: 3–21.
7. Hasmun N et al. J Dent. 2020; 98.
8. Hasmun N et al. Dent J (Basel). 2018; 6.
