Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

Why Are Your Child's Teeth Discolored?

15 August 2018 by Charlotte Beck

Baby teeth or primary teeth are generally whiter compared to adult's teeth. As soon as a tooth erupts through the gums, your baby will undergo initial states of teething and chewing. In this process, your toddler's teeth may become discolored due to the following reasons:

Poor Dental Hygiene

Poor dental hygiene could be one of the reasons for teeth discoloration among toddlers. If your child's teeth are not properly brushed and cleaned, yellowish plaque starts forming, covers the teeth, and makes the teeth appear yellowish in color. Plaque formation eventually leads to early tooth decay, even if your child's teeth are just starting to develop. You should wipe your baby's gums with a clean and soft cloth as soon as their first tooth comes in.

Food and Medication

Food and medication can also cause discoloration in your toddler's teeth. Your child's teeth are different from yours: while your teeth can only be stained by coffee and other foods and beverages, your child's teeth can be stained by practically anything that they consume. Sugary drinks, fruit juices, and sodas cause teeth staining. Excessive fluoride in the tap water or toothpaste that they use can cause either white streaks or brown spots in the teeth. Prolonged consumption of antibiotics, antihistamines, and food supplements with iron can also cause graying, yellowing, and dark staining in your baby's teeth. Visit your family dentist to address these stains in your child's teeth.

Tooth and Gum Disorders

Tooth and gum disorders can also be the reason for the discoloration. Darkening of the tooth can be a symptom of bleeding due to dental trauma. Once the trauma reaches the gums, the teeth develop a permanent grayish color. Gum infection can also lead to temporary discoloration of the teeth.

Other Illnesses

Other more serious illnesses also manifest in teeth discoloration among children. Some of the conditions that lead to teeth discoloration include recurring infections, heart disease, jaundice, and blood and liver diseases. Some children whose teeth appear to be green or yellow are also born with a condition of too much bilirubin in the blood.

Discoloration due to poor dental hygiene and staining from food and medication can be treated through proper dental care. Teach proper dental hygiene at an early age to avoid plaque, discoloration, and tooth decay. You should also keep in mind that regular visits to the pediatric dentist are not just a part of complete dental health care, but they can also treat and avoid discoloration from tooth and gum disorders. It is good to consult to your family dentist as soon as possible so that he or she can administer treatment or see if the discoloration of your child's teeth is a manifestation of other serious illnesses. For more information, you can contact family dental clinics like Persona  Dental.

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