Overview
Does you toddles have yellow or gray teeth? Tooth discolorations are one of the top dental issues in toddlers. The dirty teeth will not only ruin the smile of your toddler, but it will also affect his confidence levels when he/she grows up. If you need to know why your little ones has yellow teeth or what you can do about it, you can go through this post. Here we will discuss about the tooth discoloration in toddlers and what all you should be aware of it.
Symptoms Of Tooth Discoloration In Toddlers
The toddlers have a set of small sparkling shiny teeth which enhances their smile. Sometimes, this shine will fade and the teeth will look greasy or sticky which indicates the initial stage of the tooth discoloration.
The other symptoms of tooth discoloration include:
- Eroded enamel
- Stains on teeth, which appear as off-white, brown, yellow or gray
- The yellow stain almost looks like a cast
Causes Of Tooth Discoloration
Let us now look at some of causes of tooth discoloration:
- Jaundice
- Consuming too much apple or grape juice
- Poor brushing
- Not rinsing teeth post every meal of drink
- Hereditary weak enamel
- Early tooth decay
- Medicines with iron content
- Food flavours and sodas
- Unclean gums leading to tooth discoloration and enhance the spreading of bacteria thereby leaving yellow traces
- As the milk teeth are sensitive and thinner than the adult teeth, the bacteria can easily invade their gums
- Illness such as heart issues and hepatitis which result into tooth discoloration
- Antibiotics such as tetracycline during pregnancy which can discolor their teeth
Treating Discoloration Of Teeth In Toddlers
As a part of a preliminary step, you should take your little toddler to a dentist for a professional treatment.
- The dentist might use bleaching oxides or other methods as per the reason of the stain
- Then the dentist will examine how many teeth are infected and will suggest you to add baking soda to toothpaste while you toddler brushes his/her teeth
- Often the bleaching techniques include in-office bleaching, the whitening strips treatments and the overnight vital bleaching
- If the staining occurs due to severe health conditions such as fluorosis, then the dentist will use a pumice treatment or attach a cap to your toddler’s teeth
Preventing Toddler Teeth Discoloration
Now let us look at the simple tips for preventing toddler teeth discoloration, which include the following:
- If the tooth discoloration occurs due to the poor dental health of your toddler, then ensure to teach him/her about how to brush their teeth properly and how to maintain proper dental health. Teach him/her that he/she must not swallow the toothpaste. Most toddlers learn to spit the toothpaste at the age of two to three years
- Do not dip his/her pacifier in sugar liquids
- Do not let him/her consume sugary liquids at all time
- Always check with your dentist when you little one has developed enamel. Once the enamel takes its shape, then fluoride won’t affect his/her teeth as it did earlier
Treatment
Just because your little baby’s teeth are going to drop out doesn’t mean you can overlook the oral issues of your toddler. Some of the factors leading to teeth discoloration can be an indication of the underlying health problems of your toddler which needs immediate medical attention. Other reasons such as poor dental hygiene need to be corrected as soon as possible. All these habits concerning personal hygiene should be learned by kids which will stay with them throughout their life and if ignored can bring about lifelong consequences.
Since its tooth discoloration, relax and follow your dentist’s treatment to get back shiny teeth again. Plan your regular dental check-ups and also ask your toddler to gargle twice a day to get rid of the dental issues.
Source links:
http://community.omtimes.com/profiles/blogs/children-oral-care-practical-advice-for-parents
