Why Are My Child’s Permanent Teeth Yellow?

Your child’s baby teeth are falling out and making room for their permanent teeth. You notice that their smile looks more yellow than usual. Why is this? Is it a problem they should get treatment for?

Permanent Teeth vs. Baby Teeth

As your child’s permanent teeth come in, they often look darker next to their baby teeth. This is because baby teeth have less dentin, which is naturally yellow. Because permanent teeth have more dentin, the yellow is more pronounced next to baby teeth. Permanent teeth also have large nerve canals when they first erupt, which makes the teeth more transparent. As your child gets older, the canals calcify and the teeth may look lighter.

Causes of Yellow Teeth

Beyond normal development, there are other common causes of yellowing. Eating and drinking dark-colored foods and drinks (like tomatoes, fruit juices, sports drinks, and soda) can stain a child’s teeth. Tartar, which is the result of poor oral hygiene, also causes yellow-brown discoloration.

How to Prevent Teeth Discoloration

Once all your child’s permanent teeth have come in, they will most likely look less yellow and more uniform in color. There isn’t any special treatment required. To avoid staining and cavity-causing tartar, children should brush and floss every day. They should also come in for professional cleanings and exams at least once every six months to remove plaque and tartar.

Questions? We Have Answers!

At our San Antonio dental office, we offer comprehensive oral healthcare for kids including preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, special needs dentistry, orthodontics, emergency dentistry, and more! If you are concerned about the color of your child’s permanent teeth and are not sure if it is part of their normal development, please reach out to us! Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is available for appointments Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

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Categorised in: Cosmetic Dentistry