Addressing Tooth Discoloration In Children

Your child's baby teeth are important placeholders for their adult teeth and crucial for helping set up their future smile. Tooth discoloration in toddlers can rob them of their beautiful smile and contribute to dental complications in the future.

Regular visits to a pediatric dentist for dental cleaning and advice on healthy oral habits can help prevent or halt this problem. Here is a look at common causes of tooth discoloration in children.

Tooth decay

Tooth decay is quite prevalent among children, primarily due to poor oral habits. A diet of sweets, fast foods, and soft drinks could increase the risk of tooth decay in children by providing the acidic conditions oral bacteria thrive in. Without dental cleanings and proper dental hygiene, bacteria can multiply on tooth enamel, leading to tartar buildup and tooth decay which causes the teeth to appear discolored and unsightly.

If your child's teeth are discolored, take them to a child-savvy dentist so they can receive early treatment for decay. Professional dental cleanings can help eliminate accumulated plaque on the teeth, helping to halt tooth decay and stop the discoloration. You should also follow up on the dental cleaning with regular tooth brushing using fluoride toothpaste so as to maintain white, healthy teeth.

While fluoride can be beneficial for your child's smile, it could also cause tooth discoloration if used in large quantities. To protect your child, regulate their use of mouth rinse or toothpaste that contains fluoride and get your tap water tested to determine how much fluoride your child is consuming. 

Enamel loss and tooth injury

The loss of enamel is a risk factor for tooth discoloration in children. Enamel can get eroded due to poor dental hygiene, where plaque is allowed to attack tooth enamel over an extended period. Enamel is typically porous, and a deficiency in this protective coat to the teeth often leads to discoloration.

Reducing your child's intake of sugary foods and vigilantly brushing their teeth could help avert any further enamel loss. Enamel loss could also occur due to a mineral deficiency, so be sure to supplement your child's diet with foods rich in calcium. 

Children with weak enamel are often prone to tooth injury, as their teeth could easily crack or fracture during play and result in discoloration. By repairing any cracks on the teeth with dental sealant and strengthening enamel using special toothpaste, your dentist can usually help stop tooth discoloration and restore your child's smile. 

Contact a dental office like Sunnyside Dentistry for Children-David E Doyle, DDS for more information.


Share