Why are my son's toddler teeth brown?

[Jina4416]

My 4 year old son has discolouration on all his teeth and even though we have been very good with brushing since he got his first tooth, it’s just stayed light brownish. And some teeth have yellow hard stuff on them. I don’t even give him sweet drinks (only water) or too much sugar. The dentist shrugged it off and didn’t really explain why. His teeth are beautifully straight but I just don’t understand the brown discolouration. My 2 old daughter has some crooked teeth but are all so white! I’m so confused. Any parents out there with a similar situation?

[stephkp]

Yellow hard stuff is plaque/tarter. You could get some tablets called disclosing tablets to help you tell what is and isn’t plaque. Also certain medications like antibiotics can discolour teeth so if he’s ever had any medication, that could be the cause of that. Unfortunately if it is medication that’s discoloured his teeth, they may stay like that. I would push your dentist for an answer

[Jina4416 in reply to stephkp]

Hi thanks for your reply. Yes he has been on antibiotic medication when he was little and also lots of anti histamine due to mild allergic reactions as a baby. Also I was on antibiotics when I was pregnant with him and also underwent emergency surgery when I was 14weeks which I was under general anaesthetic. So I’m not sure if if all these have caused the discolouration in my sons teeth?

[Cheekymonkey85]

Have they always been like that or is it a new thing?

There is a condition called amelogenesis imperfecta which causes enamel to discolour and become weak, it’s hereditary so not caused by not brushing etc. Keep pressing your dentist about it. If this is the case there’s lots of things you can do to protect his teeth. Fruit is acidic so avoid too much- veg snacks are better. Brush first thing and last thing- ideally at least 30minutes after eating. Cheese is good after snacks to help neutralise plaque acid. Avoid grazing as this causes constant acid attacks on teeth. And crisps- we don’t realise that crisps can be as bad as sweets because they leave bits around the gum line.

Don’t use disclosing tablets as brushing the staining away is too harsh on tooth enamel at the best of times.

[Jina4416 in reply to Cheekymonkey85]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Yes they have always been discoloured. If it is hereditary does that mean his adult teeth will also be discoloured also? Both my teeth and my husbands teeth are fine we don’t have any tooth problems.

[Cheekymonkey85 in reply to Jina4416]

I’m not sure on the answer to your question to be honest, not quite sure how it works. I have it you see and can’t remember what my baby teeth were like, just that it’s affected my adult teeth but know idea who it’s come from in my family either x

[Shopper85]

It could be to do with a lack of vitamins perhaps

[Jina4416 in reply to Shopper85]

Thanks for your reply. I’m not sure because while I was pregnant I took all the necessary vitamins like pregnacare and also vitamin d. Also my kids eat their veg and fruit plus they take vitamins and probiotics and take dairy products. All in all they are quite healthy and active. I just hope his adult teeth are not discoloured aswell. :/

[Shopper85 in reply to Jina4416]

Ok sounds like you're on a good path