Discoloration of teeth in babies and toddlers can be worrisome for parents. However, it is a common problem and can be cured if identified early. The teeth may become off-white, gray, yellow, or brown for various reasons. For example, oral hygiene, certain medications, or physical conditions can cause teeth discoloration, and resolving the underlying causes may revert the color changes in some babies. Read on to learn more about the causes, prevention, and treatment of teeth discoloration in babies and toddlers.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration In Babies And Toddlers?
The reasons might be congenital, medical, or lifestyle-induced. The following are some of the possible reasons for discoloration and staining of teeth.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tooth Discoloration And Staining?
The stains can be broadly categorized into two types:
Extrinsic stains: The stains appear due to the action of external factors such as food, drinks, medicines, bacteria, etc. It is relatively easy to get rid of these stains. They affect the tooth’s top layer, which is called the enamel. Image: iStock
Intrinsic stains: They occur when the staining is beyond the enamel, in the deeper layers of a tooth. This discoloration can happen due to multiple reasons, including infection and congenital stain. These stains are difficult to remove.
Based on the relevant evidence, it is said that tooth discoloration can be found in nine different color spectrums: black, brown, blue, green, grey, orange, pink, red, and yellow. Each color might represent a different cause (10).
Colors of stain
Several predisposing factors could cause discoloration of the teeth. Each stain color could be a result of individual factors or conditions. If the teeth discoloration is due to a certain food that the baby or toddler ate (like beetroot or berries), then it will be temporary. However, if the discoloration seems deep and you suspect a problem, then see a dentist.
Treatment For Tooth Discoloration
The over-the-counter teeth bleaching agents are not suitable for babies and toddlers. The decision to create a treatment plan should be left to the dentist, who can use a combination of treatment methods (13).
For teeth with minor yellow stains, your dentist may suggest you brush your toddler’s teeth with adult toothpaste. Image: Shutterstock
Adding baking soda to the toothpaste may help reduce the stains.
In some cases of extrinsic stains, the dentist may recommend professional cleaning and polishing of teeth.
In some cases, when the teeth are discolored to the point of being aesthetically unpleasant, then the dentist may consider using medically-approved bleach.
When the teeth are broken or appear crooked due to the damage caused by cavities, fluorosis, or weak enamel, your dentist might recommend putting tooth-colored crowns for your toddler.
In some cases, the dentist might do microabrasion on the surface of teeth to get rid of the stains. Microabrasion is the removal of the top layer of teeth by a few millimeters.
The dentist may use a pumice mixture to remove the stains on the surface of teeth for your toddlers.
Removal of stains and discoloration should only be done by a dentist.
How To Prevent Discoloration Of Teeth?
Discoloration of teeth in babies and toddlers can be avoided by following some good practices. Try and include these changes in your baby and toddler’s daily routine (14) (15).
Brush your baby or toddler’s teeth twice a day. Older toddlers can be encouraged to brush their teeth themselves under the supervision of a parent. Speak to your dentist to learn the correct techniques of cleaning your baby’s teeth.
Clean the gums and mouth using a clean gauze even before the teeth erupt.
Do not give a baby or a toddler sugary juices and sodas. Do not use pacifiers dipped in honey or sweet liquids.
Dental check-ups for babies and toddlers are as important as they are for adults. Start scheduling dental check-ups with your dentist every six months as the first teeth erupt. Image: iStock
If you observe iron supplements causing staining on teeth, make a habit of cleaning up the oral cavity by wiping, brushing or rinsing immediately after giving the supplement. This will prevent the stain from setting onto the teeth.
Do not give milk bottles while sleeping at night. It might be the main reason for early childhood caries. The presence of milk and sugar makes the environment of the oral cavity ideal for bacterial growth.
Use toothpaste with low fluoride content until the baby learns how to spit it out.
