Did your little one smile at you one day, and you noticed their teeth are yellow? There are lots of reasons why this could happen, and the best thing you can do to get to the bottom of the problem is to bring them in for a dental appointment.
From poor oral hygiene to something they ate, here are some of the most common reasons why children’s teeth can appear more yellow than they should:
If your child still has their baby teeth, their permanent teeth can look a bit more yellow by comparison. But don’t worry, as this is perfectly normal.
Adult teeth have a stronger dentin layer, which is the second layer of the tooth that’s also yellow. This can make it look like your child’s permanent tooth is discolored, even though it’s probably perfectly fine.
Oral hygiene is essential for a happy and healthy smile. During brushing and flossing, you remove all the bacteria and food particles from your mouth, which can cause cavities.
However, over time these particles can also lead to the teeth appearing yellow. As the bacteria is left to its own devices, it accumulates on the teeth and hardens. Unfortunately, yellow teeth aren't the only consequence of plaque and tartar. Over time, this can lead to gum disease, a type of gum infection that can lead to gum recession and even permanent tooth loss.
Some foods can stain the teeth. It can be natural foods like citruses, but also those that contain artificial colorings. If you brush your child’s teeth after every meal, the staining is permanent and the tooth color will go back to normal. Over time, however, staining can be harder and harder to remove at home.
Some medications can have added colorings that will stain the teeth. Though it’s common for cough medicine or drops to stain the tongue temporarily, the child’s teeth can also change their hue. Like with food staining, this is only a temporary effect and will go away after the child brushes their teeth.
Sometimes, yellow teeth can be a result of genetics. If your child was born with weaker or thinner enamel, this can make their teeth appear more yellow since it will allow the dentin to be more visible. Children with weaker enamel will need additional dental care in order to protect their smile long-term.
If your child’s teeth appear yellow, our family dentist in Fort mill ,Leah R. Luck, DDS, can have a look and provide expert and compassionate care to restore the little one’s bright smile!
Book an appointment at Luck Family Dental online to get started, or call us at (803) 760-7860 for more information.
