Teeth turning gray from iron

[grandpianoman]

Have had RLS for 50 yrs now. Have taken a variety of RLS drugs, but am trying to get off these harmful drugs. Thanks to this forum, I've been taking oral iron bisglycinate for 2.5 months now because my GP doesn't think I'm a good candidate for IV iron. He is not well schooled in RLS. Thanks again to this forum, I now take only every other day, and have been able to reduce the amount of oxycodone and still get decent sleep, but I've noticed my teeth are turning gray. I suspect it's from the iron--that taking it every day for two months caused my body's digestive system to notice the excess iron and my body put it somewhere--my teeth. Anyone else have that experience? And anyone have any idea what to do about it? Will my body eventually take it back out of my teeth?

[Hidden]

That's not something I've come across before.

Iron can, I belive stain chidlrens teeth, but that;s becasue they may be taking iron in a liquid form. The outside of their teeth become stained. It can be removed using simple sodium bicarbonate.

If you're taking capsukes or tablets, I don't think that can be the casue, unlsee you're chewing them.

I can't logically see any other logical c onnection between iron supplemtnation and grey teeth.

Normally, the body has natural "homeostatic" mechanism for maintaining "normal" iron levels, i.e. not too much and not too little.

In that case, normally, if there is too much iron in the blood, a substance called hepcidin prevents any more from being absorbed from the digestive system. Iron can also be bound to a protein and stored in various organs e.g. the liver or the spleen.

It isn't stored in the teeth.

Some people have an inherited problem with this normal mechanism, which can cause a condition caled haemochromacytosis. This can lead to blood iron overload. This overload can cause grey GUMS, but grey teeth isn;t listed a s a symptom.

There are otber symptoms if the condition which I imagine you would be aware of it you had it. It discolours the skin really obviously.

It's really difficult to produce iron overload by taking too much oral iron in normal people because of hepcidin.

If you've had any recent extensive dental work done e.g. fillings or taken a course of tetracycline, this can also make your teeth grey.

Anythings possible! I think it unlikely however that oral iron has made your teeth grey. I suggest try brushing them with sodium bicarbonate or a proprietory (gentle) tooth whitener toothpaste.

[Travelling922]

Hi there,

I'm a dentist. Only really a risk of staining if you take a liquid iron supplement over a prolonged period. This would be a result of the liquid coming into contact with your teeth before swallowing. If this was the case it would be an extrinsic stain that can be removed by a hygienist. Be wary of abrasive whitening/stain removing toothpastes. Could also be completely unrelated to the iron supplement. Maybe make an appointment with your dentist when they are back open post Covid 19 to let them have a look?

[WideBody]

Do you use liquid iron? I use liquid Ferrous Sulfate. I put 7 ml in a plastic syringe and squirt it past my teeth and then wash it down with copious amounts of water.

One time I did this and forgot to wash it down. When I went to bed and looked in the mirror to brush my teeth, was pretty bad.

Quick fix. Get some backing soda and make a soft paste. Use that to brush your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide 3% swish it around and spit it out.

Sadly I know this works, from experience.