S.D. asks from Peoria, AZ on January 10, 2009
Yellow Teeth
my 3rd grader has a slight yellow to her teeth and it is becoming more
noticable, like she is not brushing, but she did ? How do you get rid of
that with out extensive whitening treatment. And why does this happen,
these are her new teeth.
So What Happened?™
thanks for the in-put. My daughter has not taken a ton of antiboitics
in her early years. Maybe once or twice for ear infections...so I am
pretty sure it is not that. I look forward to any other thoughts...thanks.
More Answers
K.H. answers from Phoenix on January 11, 2009
It could be genetic. My son's teeth are a bit yellow as well. Also, I have heard that giving a lot of antibiotics when they are young can cause discoloration in their permanent teeth, but I don't recall the source of that information to back that up. I don't think other kids notice this sort of thing. If your child is bothered by it, then the only thing that I am aware of that will help is professional whitening by the dentist, but you may want to ask what the damage is to the structure of the tooth before you do this. My dentist said that the structure of the tooth is not fully mature until later in life (teens).
K.
C.D. answers from Phoenix on January 11, 2009
I know foods tend to "stain" teeth. Typically it is associated with Coffee, but check out the dyes, etc in the foods your family eats.
K.H. answers from Phoenix on January 11, 2009
Hey S., I worked for a pediatric dentist for 5 years before staying home with my kids. We got complaints like this all the time with kids your little ones age. When your permenant teeth come in they are naturally darker in color than baby teeth. Once all her baby teeth are gone you will not notice it as much since they won't be right up next to the baby teeth. Good luck!
L.M. answers from Phoenix on January 10, 2009
I dont have the answer, but My third grader, its the same deal. I tend to brush his teeth more and more lately, and htey look whiter when i do it, but again, I dont know why?
I am curious to see if anyone knows! Great Question.
G.D. answers from Flagstaff on January 23, 2009
not positive yet i believe it's lack of calcium
W.H. answers from Phoenix on January 12, 2009
I think it is an individual thing, some people's teeth are naturally whiter/lighter than others. Nowadays you can't really tell with all that 'whitening' going on. Certain foods (like nictoine and coffee,which I am sure your daughter does not consume, but perhaps some other foods?) will stain.
Try a plaque detector or toothbrushing rinse aid where you swish some around in your mouth then it colors the areas that still have residue to be brushed off, that might help ensure she is brushing thoroughly?
One of my sister's teeth is more yellow than the others of us. Another sister's teeth is whiter than the rest of us. The sister with the darkest teeth is the one most careful about her hygiene and appearance, so it's probably not the toothbrushing, just her natural color.
A.E. answers from Phoenix on January 11, 2009
Perhaps it's time for you to jump in with brushing again. If she's not getting the job done herself you should go back in and go over brushing patterns again. Watch how she does it to make sure she's getting all her teeth for equal amounts of time.
D.H. answers from Phoenix on January 12, 2009
The new teeth coming in always appear yellow for a year or two, but then they whiten up again.
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