Shock discovery that can save kids’ teeth from decay

A breakthrough discovery by Melbourne researchers could save children’s teeth from an issue that causes severe pain and decay.

It’s baffled dentists and scientists for a century, but finally Melbourne researchers have discovered the root cause of children’s chalky teeth — opening up new chances to avoid decay and save smiles for future generations.

Despite huge advances in dental techniques and fluoridated water, one in five children still has chalky tooth enamel, the visible spots that often cause severe toothache, decay, and lead to extractions and major orthodontic issues.

But University of Melbourne scientists working with Chilean colleagues have found hypomineralised teeth actually stem from a childhood illness suffered before the teeth ever appear.

Antonio Stamatis, 8, suffered severe pain and decay from chalky teeth. Picture: Tony Gough

The team led by the university’s Professor Mike Hubbard discovered a protein called albumin contaminates the enamel forming around teeth while they are still developing, infiltrating both in blood and in the tissue fluid surrounding them.

While they are still investigating the exact virus, fever or other illness that triggers the contamination, Prof Hubbard said identifying the cause opens the opportunity for medications to save millions of teeth every year — as well as turns decades of conventional understanding on its head.

“The medical cure or prevention, that’s going to take a little bit more research, but I think we’re on we’re now on a path. The research finding is quite a surprise and but but it makes sense,” Prof Hubbard said.

It is an issue Antonio, 7, and his mother Harri Stamatis are all too familiar with.

When Covid restrictions finally eased and he Antonio could finally have a dental check-up he was shocked to learn five teeth needed to be removed due to decay caused by hypomineralisation.

“We were convinced he was a vegetarian because he couldn’t eat meat — just forget about a steak, he’d just turn it away,” Ms Stamatis said.

“But he never told us that his teeth hurt so it was very weird, but then once he got it all fixed, he started eating.

“I just thought he wasn’t brushing his teeth properly.

“People were telling me ‘oh, you’ve fed him chocolate too much., you breastfed him for too long …’ — I got to hear it all.”:

“To hear about this is very reassuring. But now I just want to know what infection it was that caused it.”