Can an Apple Do This?

Updated on April 21, 2010
E.S. asks from Conroe, TX
6 answers

My daughter had eaten an apple the other day and about 2 hours later my husband called me over to look at her teeth. Her four front teeth had a brown coating along the top of the teeth. I had her come brush them and it kinda went away but there still looks to be some staining. She goes to the dentist every six months and has never had any problem with her teeth. I don't know if the apple pieces got stuck around her teeth and then turned brown or if this could even happen. She has also been on antibiotics for strep throat. Could this have something to do with it? I want her teeth white again. Thanks in advance.

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H.A.

answers from Dallas on

Which anti-biotic? Tetracycline has been known to turn teeth brown or grey. I would check to see if what she's taking is minocycline, tetracycline, doxycycline or a generic of any of those.

QUOTED from here: http://www.animated-teeth.com/teeth_whitening/t2_white_te...

One medication well known for causing tooth discoloration is the antibiotic tetracycline (and also the related antibiotics minocycline and doxycycline).

If children are given tetracycline during those years when their tooth enamel is forming their teeth can acquire a yellow-brown or, more typically, a blue-grey staining. For this reason, tetracycline (and related antibiotics) are seldom prescribed for children eight years and younger or for pregnant women. (The use of the minocycline has been reported to cause tooth staining even in adults.)

Upon further research I also found a pediatric dentist that had this to say:
Antibiotics such as amoxicillin can sometimes temporarily cause a discoloration of the teeth, usually yellow or brown spots. This goes away in time.

Good luck

3 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Redding on

When was your daughter placed on antibiotics?
I would ask that first as far as trying to figure it out. If she's been on them for a week, I don't know that they would stain her teeth.
One thing I do know, having worked for a pediatric dental specialist, is that apples and apple juice are really horrible for your child's teeth. So are raisins.
The sugars really munch away at the enamel.
There is nothing wrong with giving your child these things, but you have to be diligent about brushing and rinsing soon after. Never let them just sit on your child's teeth.
It's good that your child goes to the dentist every 6 months and if she's never had any problems, it's likely that she may have had some film or fruit build up that caused the discoloration. Brush, brush, rinse, rinse.
Schedule an appointment with the dentist to make sure that there is no degeneration along the gum line and get an extra cleaning if necessary.

Best wishes.

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J.J.

answers from Austin on

Tetracycline can damage teeth, but it is the only antibiotic I know that does. Apple juice is horrible for teeth and most pediatricians recommend staying away from it or only drinking it ocaisionally, but I've never heard of a problem with apples themselves.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

It definitely could have been caused by the antibiotic. Call your dentist or pediatrician to answer your questions.

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J.T.

answers from College Station on

Antibiotics can stain teeth. I have a stained tooth from antibiotics I tok as a child. The thing is, I was 2 at the time, so I didn't yet have my adult teeth.

Teeth also turn brown because they are dying. Has she hit her mouth recently?

I would definitely take her to the dentist and have her looked at.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

that is kind of odd. first i would call the pharmisist and ask them if the antibiotic had a side effect of this. if not i would call the dentist and go from there. i think you would be able to tell if it were apple chunks or if it was staining. she might need more milk/ calcium in her diet or vitimans?? hope her pretty smile comes back.

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