We were horrified when at 7.5yrs the first front tooth started coming through and the enamel appeared to be extensively pitted. The second tooth is also damaged and has a yellow stripe down the left hand side. My dentist said it was probalby caused by a high temperature and this was confirmed by my doctor. The dentist covered the damaged areas with artificial enamel which will have to be touched up as the teeth emerge further. Her bottom teeth are perfect and we can only hope that all her other teeth will not have been affected. When she is much older she will be able to have veneers fitted. Fortunately she is a very confident child and is not concerned about the defect which with a little creative dentistry is hardly visible.

I must say that when the dentist first mentioned that a fever could cause such problems, I was rather socked. Robyn had had scarlet fever a few months before the damaged teeth emerged and I thought that this may have been the cause. However, having since done some research, I realise that the damage was done when she was much younger – probably a fever associated with an ear infection or a severe case of chickenpox.

Don’t blame yourself. As parents we do our very best for our children but cannot always protect them. If it makes you feel any better, my son who is now 11, chipped both his front teeth at a friend’s birthday party when he was 8yrs old. My dentist repaired the damage at 7pm on a Saturday evening! When he is 16, he will also need veneers.

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