Why Does My Kid Have Yellow Teeth?

As our babies develop and grow, a common concern as parents are our kids’ teeth appearance and their dental hygiene. Especially if, over time, we start noticing changes in our kids’ teeth color and they are looking a bit more yellow than usual. Is it simply genetics, or could it be something more serious?

At Parkway Pediatric Dentistry, we hear your concerns, and in this article, we will guide you through the possible reasons why your child’s teeth may look yellow, stained, or discolored. And we will look for the different treatments and solutions available today for your child’s dental health.

What Causes Discolored or Yellow Teeth?

Before looking at all the possible reasons why our kids’ teeth are yellow, stained, or discolored, we have to explain that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that it is perfectly normal for baby teeth to be whiter than permanent teeth. The reason for this is that baby teeth’ enamel is thinner than the permanent teeth that will replace them. Permanent teeth have more dentin, a second yellowish layer of the tooth, and will also come with larger root canals, but over time the enamel of the new permanent teeth will calcify, and your kid’s teeth will come back to their normally white color.

Let’s go now and see the reasons why our kids’ teeth are yellow, stained, or discolored and the solutions available:

Plaque

Good oral hygiene is key for our babies. Inadequate brushing may cause tartar and plaque, and -as a consequence- your baby’s teeth will look yellowish and stained. When teeth are not brushed and cleaned regularly, bacteria from food and beverages are trapped, causing plaque, tartar, and stains with a yellowish-brown color that may cause further damage to your kid’s teeth.

Some children’s teeth may also have excessive tartar buildup. This is a potential risk for cavities. Make sure to contact your pediatric dental clinic if you think your child might have a higher chance of developing cavities.

Cavities

As we mentioned above, tartar buildup can cause tooth decay and cavities. The tartar and the cavities will stain and discolor the teeth, making them appear yellow. Sometimes you might notice dark spots, and those stains will convert into tiny holes that are known as cavities.

It is important to stop the decay process early and prevent further infections, so contact your dentist right away and schedule a checkup right away.

Medical Conditions

Medical conditions and the use of medications are also big causes of yellow-stained teeth. If you have a kid suffering from hepatitis, jaundice, autoimmune diseases, and other medical conditions, changes in their teeth might occur.

There are other cases when a specialist prescribed tetracycline and penicillin antibiotics, which may eventually have caused teeth to look bright yellow and sometimes even brown or gray, as the medications affected the teeth’ inner structures.

Make sure to contact your doctor right away if you see any side effects and further changes in your child.

Genetics & Thin Enamel Conditions

Genetics

The thin outer covering of our teeth is called enamel, and it is what gives our teeth their white color. Genetics will determine how white and strong our teeth are, but there are factors also that can interfere with the formation of our child’s tooth enamel. If we genetically have thin enamel, our teeth will naturally look yellow or discolored, and we can pass that to our kids.

Thin Enamel Conditions

There are also two conditions that we would like to point out: Enamel Hypoplasia and Amelogenesis Imperfecta. In both cases, the baby’s teeth are affected, causing a yellowish or brownish discoloration and continuous damage to their teeth as they grow up.

Any medical conditions that run in the family are more likely to be passed on to our kids, so be on the lookout if you see any signs of tooth decay and other issues. Always schedule regular appointments to keep your child’s teeth healthy and free of any complications.

Fluorosis

As concerned parents, we are always trying to give our children the best of everything. We want to make sure that they are healthy and have all the vitamins, supplements, and nutritious food they can. But sometimes, our efforts can backfire and create an over-exposure, and fluoride overexposure (Fluorosis) is common. Fluorosis happens when baby teeth are exposed to too much fluoride through water, toothpaste, or fortified foods.

Consequently, we will see white or brown spots on the kid’s teeth, giving the teeth a yellowish overlook. We also see something similar with iron which at the end will turn the teeth gray or blackish. In any case, make sure to contact our offices right away and schedule an appointment.

Injuries

After an accident or trauma, the child’s teeth’ capillary bed contained within the pulps might be injured and bleed. The teeth might turn yellow, brown, or even gray or black. Contact your pediatric dentist immediately if you start seeing discoloration or spots in your kid’s teeth.

Treatment for Yellow Teeth

If your baby or kid has yellow teeth and you are concerned they might have any of the aforementioned conditions, contact your dentist right away and schedule a consultation. With a proper diagnosis, your dentist will be able to guide you through the treatment and will also provide you with the best oral hygiene guidance needed.

Parkway Pediatric Dentistry offers a variety of treatments that will help your child get their bright and healthy smile back. Some of them may require not only a deep cleaning but also repairs, caps, or sealants to prevent or stop wear and tears or tooth decay.

It is always recommended to follow regular oral hygiene with our kids; this is the foundation for them to have a life free of infections, bacteria, and other problems as they grow. And the same goes for following a healthy diet. Colored sugary drinks such as popsicles and slushies might accentuate our kid’s problems. If our kids are thirsty, water will always be the best option.

In terms of food, any citrus fruits or tomato sauce might also increase the problem as they hurt the enamel. The helpful options would be crunchy fruits and vegetables that will clean the teeth with every bite. And, of course, brushing and rinsing after meals is the way to go.

Get Help From a Roanoke Pediatric Dentist

Need further information for Yellow Teeth? We are here for you!

For further information or to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact our offices here.

We consider it an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with the caring of your children, and our doctors and staff will gladly help you understand the cause of your children’s yellowed or discolored teeth, and what we can do to get their health back to normal.