What makes childs teeth yellow

Be Careful with Fluoride Make sure that your child gets enough fluoride, but not too much! Dentists divide discoloration into three main categories: Extrinsic discoloration — This occurs when the outer layer of the tooth the enamel is stained by coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods.

Smoking also causes extrinsic stains. Intrinsic discoloration — This is when the inner structure of the tooth the dentin darkens or gets a yellow tint. Causes include excessive exposure to fluoride during early childhood, the maternal use of tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy and the use of tetracycline antibiotics in children 8 years old or younger. Age-related discoloration — This is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors.

In addition to stains caused by foods or smoking, the dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Chips or other injuries to a tooth can also cause discoloration, especially when the pulp has been damaged.

Sometimes other things can aggravate them, too, like sweet and sour foods or even cold air. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Necessary Necessary. This plaque buildup can lead to tooth discoloration and staining. If you think your child has a lot of plaque on their teeth, see Sea of Smiles for a cleaning.

Raj and Dr. To get started, just contact us at to schedule an appointment. Give us a call. Their Permanent Teeth Are Starting to Erupt If your child is between the ages of , their baby primary teeth will start to fall out, and their adult teeth will erupt. Weak Enamel Some children are born with weak enamel due to genetic factors. Extrinsic Discoloration The most common cause of yellow teeth is external.

Food and drink — plenty of foods can cause staining of the outer layer of the teeth, which are incorporated into the tooth pellicle tooth film. For adults, this normally takes the form of coffee stains. For children, it could be any number of the things they consume. Combined with the bad brushing habits common in small children, and you can end up with this problem before you know it.

Chemicals and supplements — iron supplements and other metallic salts are a common cause of tooth staining in children. So are some types of antiseptics used in toothpastes, lozenges, throat sprays, and more. A common ingredient chlorhexidine used for removing plaque from teeth causes temporary discoloration that can be removed by a dental hygienist. Congenital disorders — there are plenty of conditions a child can have that can cause discolored teeth, from metabolic disorders to dentin defects to enamel hypoplasia.

Sometimes this type of tooth discoloration can be inherited or the discoloration can be a symptom of something else. Tetracycline — antibiotics in the tetracycline family can cause yellow or gray-brown discoloration in teeth.

Injury may even affect the tooth enamel itself. Enamel is what covers the tooth and gives it its white color. Thin tooth enamel, which can be genetic, may cause teeth to look yellow or discolored. Thin tooth enamel may also put your child at risk of tooth decay and other issues. For very young children, fluorosis may be a concern. This condition happens when baby teeth are exposed to too much fluoride through water, toothpaste, or fortified foods.

Fluorosis can lead to white or brown spots on the teeth, making the surrounding enamel look yellow. Other supplements may also discolor teeth. Iron, for example, may cause teeth to turn gray or black.

So can the use of certain medications during pregnancy or early childhood. These methods will primarily work in cases where the teeth are stained due to:.

If they take supplements, like iron, they should brush and rinse well after using them. Children should use a small amount of toothpaste and rinse well to avoid fluorosis. Consistent brushing and flossing will help keep their teeth clear of plaque and stain-causing substances. You may need to help younger children develop good brushing habits. Once per week, simply combine the two ingredients and have your child brush their teeth with them.

Leave on for 1 or 2 minutes before brushing again, then rinsing well. Take note, though: While this method is relatively safe, lemon juice is acidic and can damage enamel if used too frequently. Encourage your child to snack on hard fruits and vegetables — think apples, carrots, celery, and pears. Basically, the tough exterior of these foods may scour the teeth and act as a secondary brushing.

And some fruits apples, for instance contain malic acid — which can be found in different over-the-counter OTC whitening kits.