Is it normal for kids to have yellow teeth?
It depends.
In some instances, the color of your child's teeth has nothing to do with their oral health. Other times, yellow or stained teeth in children may mean that something is wrong and you need to act as soon as possible.
So, when should you worry about your child's yellow teeth, and when not?
Keep reading to learn more.
There are several reasons children may have yellow teeth, such as:
More often than not, what causes yellow teeth in kids is inadequate brushing and flossing. We get it: making your child understand why brushing is important and thoroughly cleaning their teeth two times a day can be a challenge, to say the least, but you need to stay consistent.
In addition to regular brushing and flossing, you should also bring your child to My Kids Happy Teeth for regular checkups and cleanings. Dr. Cheryl Bhatt or Dr. Abhiraj Bhatt can show you how to properly clean your teeth and provide some tips that will make dental hygiene a bit easier.
Most parents want to and try to give their kids a healthy diet. But, if you have a picky eater on your hand, you may feel tempted to bribe them with sweets and treats to convince them to eat their food. But, constantly offering your child foods and drinks that are high in sugar and starch can contribute to tooth discoloration. Acidic foods and drinks can erode enamel, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath.
Sometimes, the color of your child's teeth may have nothing to do with their diet or oral hygiene habits. Some kids simply have more yellowish teeth than others due to the color and thickness of their tooth enamel.
If your child has been sick recently and received medications, especially antibiotics like tetracycline, that could be the cause for their teeth discoloration.
There's a reason we recommend only using toothpaste that has a certain fluoride composition and that's specially formulated for kids. It's not just about the yummy fruity flavors. Kids younger than six years old don't have good swallowing reflexes and don't know how to spit.
Overexposure to fluoride, when teeth are still developing, can lead to a condition called dental fluorosis which can cause faint white streaks or yellow spots on the teeth.
If your kid injured their mouth recently and now they have discolored teeth, it may be because more dentin has been exposed, which is darker than the enamel.
Certain nutritional deficiencies can lead to thinner enamel that can appear more yellow. Check with your child's pediatrician if you suspect that they might have a deficiency.
If your child has yellow teeth and you can't pinpoint the exact reason, bring them to My Kids Happy Teeth for a consultation.
Head to our contact page to schedule your appointment.
