Contrary to what people might think, staining of the teeth is a relatively uncommon occurrence in children. For one, their teeth are temporary until age 6 or 7. However, they are also less likely to encounter the foods and drinks that cause lots of the serious staining problems we see with adults. Children can have discolored teeth, but the causes are usually different.
Here are some causes of tooth discoloration in kids and how to best avoid them!
Brush and floss
If your child’s teeth are discolored, chances are it is due to neglect. Believe it or not, kids are really not the biggest fans of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash at least twice a day. However, being a child does not mean they are exempt from these hygienic responsibilities. On the contrary, if they do not brush or floss, they are not only setting the stage for tooth discoloration but a life of severe oral health issues.
The good news is that with the advent of electric toothbrushes and water flossers, they will spend less time cleaning their teeth and more portions of their day or night doing what they want. These pieces of dental cleaning technology also make it easier for you, as the parent, if they are still too young to brush and floss their teeth by themselves.
Fluoride
Fluoride is excellent for strengthening tooth enamel and keeping your child’s smile healthy. However, there are some things you should know about this mineral before giving it to your child!
Too much fluoride can cause discoloration of your child’s teeth, causing brown streaks on the enamel and noticeable bright patches of tooth surface that stands out—these are byproducts of fluorosis. The discoloration caused by fluorosis will not go away with regular brushing or flossing and requires the help of a dental professional to remove it.
Too little fluoride will leave your child’s smile vulnerable to plaque and cavities. When this occurs, their teeth will turn yellow and eventually become sensitive to things like cold water once the decay gets deeper into the tooth. If cavities are left alone for too long, the tooth will require lots of dental work to save or, in extreme cases, will have to be extracted permanently.
Note: Sprout Pediatric Dentistry is not recommending a specific dose of fluoride for your child in this article. Please speak to Dr. Amanda or another dental/healthcare professional for detailed instructions before giving your child fluoride in any form.
Foods and drinks
Unlike adults, who regularly expose their teeth to things like coffee, tea, and red wine, children tend not to have as much constant exposure to foods or drinks that can cause severe permanent staining of the teeth.
Food and drink are the most significant reasons you might see discoloration in your child’s smile. We all love the taste of sugar, kids especially, and many sugary foods or drinks tend to be colorful. For example, the bright red of fruit punch will almost always cause their teeth to have a colored tint until they can clean their smile. Candies, like lollipops, tend to consist of multiple colors and, when combined, will leave your child’s teeth looking dark brown or green.
The good news is, as long as you clean their teeth, these stains and tints are only temporary. However, if your child’s smile has regular exposure to foods like this, i.e., daily, there is a good chance permanent staining will eventually occur.
Call Sprout Pediatric Dentistry!
Dr. Amanda and her team offer a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be put toward keeping your child’s smile as bright and beautiful as possible! More factors can contribute to discoloring your child’s smile do exist that we do not have enough time to cover here in this article.
Give us a call today! Or book an appointment online to keep your child’s smile bright and healthy!
