TOOTH DISCOLOURATION IN CHILDREN

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Nothing amazes a parent more than a bright smile on the face of their child. This smile may however be distorted by some anomalies which may take away the shine. Anything from poor oral hygiene to genetics may account for tooth discoloration in children.

Transition from baby teeth to adult teeth

Baby teeth also known as milk teeth are whiter than adult teeth because they have less dentine. Dentine is the yellowish part of the tooth found beneath the outer translucent enamel. The adult tooth has more dentine component and therefore responsible for the yellowish pattern seen in erupting permanent tooth of children usually six years and above. Parents should not be too worried when such teeth are slightly yellowish in color than the remaining baby teeth. Nonetheless, an expert opinion from a dentist is always welcome.

Poor oral hygiene

If children fail to brush their teeth well, it leads to accumulation of plaque on the tooth surface which eventually changes the color. Again, stains from foods/drinks such as tea, coffee, tomato sauce, soy sauce and carbonated drinks may discolor teeth. Parents are therefore to supervise children brush their teeth twice daily. They should make them rinse their mouth with water after taking foods which stain their teeth.

Tooth injury and decay

Traumatic injuries to the tooth may distort its blood supply and nerve sensation. Such injuries may eventually change the tooth color to yellow, brown, gray or black. Children with poor dental hygiene and those who frequently snack may develop cavities which will present as brown or black discoloration. A terrible condition known as nursing bottle caries are extensive decay usually of the front teeth, seen in children who continue to be fed even during their sleep. Parents are therefore advised to wean their children from the bottle in a timely manner and report any abnormal tooth changes to the dentist.

Medication/excessive fluoride ingestion

Antibiotic medications such as tetracycline, when taken by a pregnant or breastfeeding mother can lead to changes in the normal color of the child’s teeth. Women should stay away from such medications during those periods. Again, when the teeth of children, 8years and younger are exposed to excessive amount of fluoride through toothpaste, water and fortified foods, they can develop a condition known as fluorosis. Here, the tooth gets scattered white spots and in severe cases a pitted surface.  Until children learn the habit of completely spitting out toothpaste after brushing, minimal amount of toothpaste should be given them. Parents should monitor them when they brush so they do not swallow toothpaste.

Genetics conditions

Other rare genetic diseases such as amelogenesis imperfecta can bring about color and size changes in the tooth. This condition causes the teeth to be small, discolored, pitted and prone to wear and tooth decay. A Dentist should be consulted when such abnormalities are seen.

 

By Dr Kwabena Amponsah-Kodua, Dental Surgeon.

 

 

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