Preemie Kids Have Chemical Differences in Teeth
August 18, 2010

By Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

INTELIHEALTH - Children born prematurely may have chemical differences in their teeth, says a small study.

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, did the study. They compared 17 baby teeth from children born before 29 weeks of pregnancy with 36 baby teeth from children born full-term. They used X-ray analysis to study each tooth's makeup.

The enamel in teeth from children born prematurely was different from the enamel from full-term children. Teeth contain a compound called hydroxyapatite; it is made from calcium and phosphorus. The teeth from prematurely born children had hydroxyapatite that looked normal. But their enamel was more porous. The investigators believe that this may be the reason that the teeth of premature infants usually experience more cavities.

Bacteria consume sugars from food particles left in the mouth. Then they produce acids that can harm teeth. A tooth with porous enamel is more likely to allow acids to work their way into the tooth.

However, this study found that although children born preterm had more porous tooth enamel, they did not have more cavities than children who were born full term.

Other studies have shown that children born prematurely are at higher risk for defects in the tooth enamel. These defects can lead to a higher risk of tooth decay.

The study appears in the August issue of the European Journal of Oral Sciences.