What causes stains on baby teeth?
The main characteristic of milk teeth is their whiteness, which is due to greater calcification compared to the permanent dentition. It is precisely this quality that gives milk teeth their name.
However, even babies and young children are not spared from stained milk teeth. These stains or changes in colour can be due to many different reasons, which we will explain below.
If your child has stains on their teeth, read the article and make an appointment with your paediatric dentist to check their teeth and diagnose their origin and treatment.
Changes in the colour of baby teeth
- Don’t downplay the importance of baby teeth.
- Causes of stains on baby teeth.
- Treatment of stains on baby teeth at Udemax Clinics.
Don’t underestimate the importance of baby teeth
Some parents mistakenly believe that the appearance of problems in children’s teeth is not important due to their temporary nature.
It is true that certain conditions are eliminated during the change of teeth. However, in other cases, the disease goes further. An example of this is the presence of caries.
Much more important is the premature loss of the first teeth. A complete set of teeth in childhood is a prerequisite for the correct development of the adult dentition.
Caring for teeth during childhood will prevent later bite problems and dental misalignment that lead to aesthetic and/or functional problems in adulthood.
Causes of stains on baby teeth
Bacterial plaque. Incorrect brushing leads to the formation of bacterial plaque which, once it calcifies, generates yellow or brown stains on the tooth.
Dental hygiene in babies and children should begin with the appearance of their first teeth.
Caries. The appearance of white crescent-shaped spots on the closest part of the tooth to the gum can be a symptom of the formation of a cavity. Children are prone to this ailment because they tend to eat more sugar than adults.
Medication administration. The ingestion of paediatric medications with high concentrations of iron can cause stains to appear on the tooth. These stains can be removed by professional tooth cleaning.
Similarly, the administration of certain antibiotics during pregnancy or breastfeeding can cause the appearance of these stains up to twelve years of age.
Trauma. A dental injury to a tooth that affects the dental pulp or nerve can cause it to change colour towards yellowish, grey or brownish tones.
It is not necessary for the tooth to be broken or bleeding for you to visit a paediatric dentist. Getting there in time can save the tooth and avoid an infectious process.
Hypoplasia. Genetics can determine the suffering of a condition called hypoplasia, which manifests itself in weak enamel. Also malnutrition problems or infectious episodes in childhood can be the origin of the disease.
As a result of the weak enamel, the patient will suffer from yellow or brown spots, cracks or heavy wear on the tooth surface.
Fluorosis. Although fluoride is an excellent ally in preventing caries, excessive fluoride administration causes the appearance of small spots or streaks ranging in colour from white to brown.
Sugars and acids. Excessive consumption of sugary drinks and soft drinks, with the presence of acids that deteriorate teeth, can also be the reason for the appearance of dental stains.
Hyperbilirubinaemia. This disease, which produces high concentrations of bilirubin in the blood, leads to green or yellow staining of the primary teeth.
Its origin lies in the Rh incompatibility of mother and child.
This staining disappears with the milk teeth and does not affect the permanent teeth.
Other diseases, such as congenital porphyria, biliary atresia or neonatal hepatitis.
Treatment of stains on baby teeth at Udemax Clinics
Our paediatric dentists are specialists in the individual treatment of children. Years of experience help us to diagnose the origin of the dental stains and prescribe the appropriate treatment in each case to restore the tooth to its correct state, if possible.
If you detect that your child has stained milk teeth, call us for an appointment.
Our paediatric dentists
Find here the paediatric dentists in Palma de Mallorca who specialise in stains on children’s teeth.
Dr. Cristina Martínez-Almoyna Rifá
Graduate in Dentistry, Master’s degree in Orthodontics and postgraduate in Paediatric Dentistry. Certified specialist in Invisalign and straight arch.
Make an appointment at Udemax Clinics, at Arcdental, your children’s clinic located in Zona Colegios, or at Emardental, your clinic in the centre of Palma. Or call us on .
ARC Dental
At Arcdental we offer the youngest patients in the family a personalised service provided by a team of specialists in children’s and teenagers’ oral health. Our aim is to offer the least invasive and most effective treatments at these ages to guarantee the development of a healthy mouth, establishing the foundations for proper oral health that will allow adults to maintain an aesthetic and functional smile for years to come.
It is important in our clinic to offer the greatest peace of mind and safety with our treatments. For this reason, we have a team specialised in paediatric dentistry techniques and preventive and corrective orthodontics that continues to be trained to apply the latest technology and guarantee excellent and long-lasting results.
