With the introduction of new foods, many children are now facing a problem that is more common than ever before: yellow teeth. A recent study revealed that nearly one-third of American children between ages six and 11 have some form of dental discoloration. It’s important to consider your child’s diet when deciding if yellow teeth are something to worry about or not, or if it could be one of the reasons below.
7 Reasons Your Kid’s Teeth May Be Yellow
Stained By Antibiotics
One of the most concerning causes for yellow teeth is antibiotic use. Many parents are introducing antibiotics to their children’s diet, thinking they will help with minor illnesses and prevent them from becoming severe.
To ensure your child has healthy teeth, it’s essential to introduce them to healthy foods before resorting to antibiotics or other medications. Here are some items you should start feeding your child before they get sick: fruits, vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, and water (especially if they’re teething).
Permanent Teeth Are Erupting
But what about the permanent teeth coming in? Some researchers believe that due to these factors, some people’s colorless permanent teeth are erupting prematurely. If this is true, it will lead to even more concerns.
Their Teeth Have Thin Enamel
A child’s teeth are constantly exposed to the elements, so they need to have strong and healthy enamel. If your child’s teeth are experiencing regular exposure to fluoride, then their enamel is likely getting thinner with each exposure. This is causing people to think that yellow teeth are a natural part of growing up.
However, this isn’t necessarily true. You can prevent yellow teeth by limiting your child’s intake of fluoride. Fluoride can be found in many children’s toothpaste brands and tap water. So if you’re fighting against yellow teeth, look into switching your child over to a fluoridated toothpaste or limiting their use of tap water.
Plaque and Tartar Build-Up
When your child is young, their teeth are constantly growing and developing. They’re not fully set in until they’re around six years old. This means that there’s still a lot of time for plaque to build up, which can result in dental cavities and tooth decay.
The posterior surfaces of the primary incisors and molar teeth are more likely to pick up yellowing stains from tartar than the anterior surfaces of these teeth.
Posterior surfaces tend to be exposed more often because these areas are where your child will put their hands when eating food or drinking from a cup. It’s important to keep these areas clean by regularly brushing after eating and using mild toothpaste with fluoride.
Injury to The Teeth
One common cause of yellow teeth in children is an injury to the teeth. This can include anything from a fall that results in a chipped tooth to an infection that causes swollen gums. If your child’s teeth are injured, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Left untreated, injuries to the teeth can lead to further problems.
Fluorosis From Too Much Fluoride
As many children have been taking multivitamins with fluoride, the problem of yellow teeth has often been associated with fluorosis. Fluorosis is a condition that can arise when too much fluoride accumulates in the body. It causes discoloration on teeth and can cause damage to the enamel if left untreated.
That’s not all, though. Fluorosis can also lead to other health problems like skeletal deformities and skeletal fluorosis, a lifelong condition that occurs when too much fluoride stays in the bones. The severity of these symptoms depends on how much fluoride is present in your system and how long it stays there.
Fluoride is safe for most people, but parents should be aware of this risk to make an informed decision on the kind of toothpaste to put their kids in or what else they might need to do to prevent these complications from happening.
Cavities and Tooth Decay
Tooth decay and cavities, while they’re two different things, are often confused and lumped together; it’s good to understand the difference.
Cavities are pits in your mouth that form when the enamel on your teeth is worn away. When this occurs, bacteria can enter the pit, causing pain and infection. This infection can cause tooth decay, leading to further tooth damage and a potentially bigger loss of teeth.
The good news is with proper brushing and oral hygiene habits like flossing; you can prevent cavities from happening or reversing any damage that has already taken place.
Speak to a Pediatric Dentist About Yellow Teeth in Children
If you notice any signs of cavities or discoloration anywhere in their mouth, talk to your child’s El Paso pediatric dentist right away. They’ll be able to tell you how best to care for your child’s teeth, so they stay healthy and bright throughout their life.