7 answers

Iron Stains on Teeth of Toddler

My two-year old son has to take iron supplements orally due to anemia. i was wondering if anyone has this situation and has figured out what to do about the stains that occur on his teeth. Thanks!

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Thank you all for your suggestions for dealing with the staining that is occuring on my toddlers teeth due to his iron supplements. We do brush his teeth twice daily and have him flush his mouth with water after the supplement, but his teeth still continue to be darkened. I tried the idea with brushing with baking soda and it definatley worked! Bad thing is that i practically had to pin him down to get him to let me do it. must taste awful to him. He has another dentist apointment coming up and i will make sure that i get further information there as well.

thanks again everyone!
C.

More Answers

Hey C.,
I work at a pediatric dentist and remove these iron stains from children's teeth all the time. Yes, baking soda does work, but most kids don't like it. (hence the pinning down you had to do). We use a special pumice polishing paste and polishing cup to remove it in the office. It should be a regular part of his dental visit. Most insurances only pay for 2 of these cleanings a year, but you may want to bring your child in every 3 months and just have his teeth polished every other time, and just pay out of pocket.(it shouldn't be too much just for the polishing.)Don't think that just because they're baby teeth, that it doesn't matter. Those giving that advice are wrong. your child will not lose these teeth until the ages of 5-7 years old. Believe me, children can be cruel, and WILL make fun of other children or your child may feel self conscious of it as they start going to school w/ other kids. Also, other things like apple juice, cranberry juice, sodas, etc. can stain. So make sure you dilute and rinse after.I hope this has helped you.

1 mom found this helpful

C. my brother had to take liquid Iron when he was little and unfortunately the iron ate his enamel and rotted the teeth. I hope a dentist can help you because back in the 70's there wasn't a treatment except pull the teeth when they were too far gone. I would suggest you speak to the doctor prescribing the iron and see what the doctor says then if nothing else take him to a dentist. I know this isn't the answer you are looking for but its all I know about the subject matter. W. H.

1 mom found this helpful

HI C.. I KNOW THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE AN ANSWER BUT HE IS ONLY 2 AND THEY ARE HIS BABY TEETH. THEY ARE GOING TO FALL OUT ANYWAYS. BUT I WOULD TAKE HIM TO A DENTIST REGULARLY TO MAKE SURE THE ADULT TEETH AREN'T AFFECTED.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi C.,
I have read everyone's responce and all sounds good, however in perhaps if you are not able to brush his teath right away, why not give hime a sippie of water to flush his mouth. That is what the dentist suggested to me for my little one when I put her to bed. She said the last thing I should give her is water so that she can rinse her mouth from all the milk and sugars.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi C.. This may be a stupid question but have you taken him to the dentist? Maybe they could suggest something. Or maybe they can clean them. I'm actually surprised your dentist hasn't said anything. Well, this is all the advice I have...lol. Big help huh? Good luck with this. Best Wishes, T.

1 mom found this helpful

My little girl had the same problem with the iron stains. I took her to the dentist who said to brush her teeth with baking soda. It took the stains away after two brushings. I was so relived. I hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful

My little girl has been taking iron supplements since she was born because she was premature. She doesn’t have teeth yet but her split-up has become a stain bomb. We combat that by immediately taking the spit up on clothing and hitting it with a stain remover and washing it.

Can’t really do that with a toddlers teeth as bleaching agents are out of the question, (don’t want him to swallow it!) so I’m not sure what you could do to get rid of the stains that are already there, but to help prevent future stains, as soon as he is finished taking his supplement brush his teeth! Just like it is suggested if you are a heavy coffee drinker to brush your teeth to help prevent stains after consuming, I’m sure the same good advice would help keep an iron supplement stain from settling as well.

1 mom found this helpful

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