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Causes and Remedies for Teeth Discoloration in Children

Causes and Remedies for Teeth Discoloration in Children
Posted on 03/07/2023
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As a parent, you should expect your child’s teeth to have a stark white color. But you may have noticed stains and other signs of tooth discoloration on your little one's teeth. Several things could cause your child to develop tooth stains, but you can implement various remedies to prevent the stains. Here are common causes of tooth discoloration in kids and how to prevent the stains. 

Reasons Behind Stained Teeth in Children

Baby teeth appear whiter than adult teeth, but the following can cause tooth discoloration in children.

Poor Oral Hygiene 

If your child isn't flossing and brushing their teeth consistently, stains and discoloration will form on their teeth. Proper and frequent brushing prevents the build-up of tartar and plaque bacteria on their teeth. Otherwise, plaque will build up on your child’s teeth and eventually harden into a yellow-brown deposit of tartar. 

Dental Injury 

When your child's tooth sustains an injury, blood vessels inside the tooth may break and cause the tooth to appear black, gray, brown, and yellow. Dental trauma specifically causes blood capillaries deep inside the teeth to rupture, leading to blood accumulation in the tooth canals. This causes the injured tooth to appear darker in color than other teeth. 

Stains From Drinks and Food 

If your child consumes drinks and foods high in acidity or sugar content, the outer layer of teeth enamel will become porous. Common culprits include popsicles, citrus fruits, juices, and soda that can gradually expose the dentin layer underneath the tooth enamel. Heavily pigmented drinks and foods can also destroy the enamel and cause the teeth to appear dull, yellow, gray, or discolored.  

Illness or Medical Conditions 

Children born with conditions such as jaundice and hepatitis may have discolored teeth. Some children may also be born with hyperbilirubinemia, a condition that develops due to excessive amounts of bilirubin in the blood. Children with hyperbilirubinemia may have teeth that look green or yellow. 

Remedies for Tooth Stains in Children

As soon as you discover discoloration and stains on your child's teeth, visit the child's pediatric dentist. During the visit, the dentist will conduct a thorough examination of the child's teeth to determine the cause of the discoloration. In particular, dentists will want to rule out chronic or serious conditions as the cause of discoloration. 

Dentists typically don't recommend whitening treatments for children, regardless of whether the child receives the treatment in the dentist's office or over the counter. Your child should only start receiving whitening treatments after they become a teenager. Instead, dental veneers are the common treatment option for teens and children with persistent tooth stains. 

Dental veneers are thin coverings of the teeth that require regular care. The veneers cover the tooth and help alleviate the stains. 

You can also try a couple of home techniques to care for the child's teeth and prevent stains.  

  • Ensure your child is flossing and brushing daily to prevent the formation of plaque and bacteria on the tooth surface. Children should brush immediately after eating, particularly after consuming drinks and foods high in acidity.  
  • Provide your child with hard fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots. These foods are hard and help to scrub the teeth's surface while eating. 

The most important thing is to teach your child to prioritize dental health, which will help them throughout their lives. 

If your child's teeth show signs of stains or discoloration, schedule a dental checkup and exam. Treasured Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, LTD, has a highly efficient and trained staff that can provide the best possible care for your child's teeth. Our dentists can diagnose the issue and explain the appropriate treatment if necessary. Contact us online to schedule an appointment.

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