As adults, we often wish our teeth could be as white as they were when we were small children. Baby teeth have thinner and whiter enamel than adult teeth, and those brilliant smiles are a result! But occasionally, you may be surprised to discover some staining or discoloration on those lovely first teeth. You might be tempted to apply a whitening product to your child’s teeth, but, please—read on!
Causes of Staining
- Improper Brushing—Often, a loss of tooth whiteness means that plaque has built up on the tooth surface. Careful brushing is needed to remove bacteria and plaque, and if your child isn’t brushing at least twice a day for two minutes, discoloration can be the result.
- Medications—When given in liquid form, or when added to formula or food, iron supplements can cause dark grey staining on the teeth. Medications taken by a mother while pregnant or breast feeding, such as tetracycline, can also lead to discoloration.
- Injury—If a tooth suffers a serious injury, the tooth can darken because of changes inside the enamel.
- Health conditions—Certain health problems can cause tooth discoloration, or sometimes children are born with weaker enamel that is more likely to stain.
If you have noticed any staining on your child’s primary teeth, call our Manteca, California office. Simple stains can often be removed with better brushing techniques, and we can clean other surface stains in the office. Staining caused by an injury or a health condition is something we can discuss in detail with you. We can even use some professional whitening methods if those are indicated.
Why not just buy a home whitening kit for your child? There are several important reasons to leave these products on the shelf while your child is young.
- Whitening kits are designed for adults. They have been tested for adult teeth in adult trials. Check the box for age appropriate use. Most products are not recommended for pre-teen children.
- Remember that thinner enamel we mentioned earlier? Add to that the delicate skin of young children, and it’s sensible to be cautious about using a bleaching agent that can cause mouth and tooth sensitivity even in adults.
- There is no body of evidence available as to the short and long term effects of using these products on children.
If you are concerned about the brightness of your child’s smile, please talk to the doctor. We can recommend better ways to brush at home, clean your child’s teeth in the office, or suggest professional methods of whitening if there are physical or psychological reasons that it would be valuable. But while your child is young, those off-the-shelf whitening products can wait a few more years.
If you’re looking for high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective dental care abroad, we invite you to consider Huangshan Dental.
Huangshan International Dental Hospital is a specialized dental institution based in Anhui, China, and has become a recognized destination for international patients seeking efficient and reliable implant treatment. By operating an in-house AI-powered dental lab, the hospital is able to provide same-day implants while maintaining strict quality control and significantly reducing treatment costs. This integrated approach allows patients to access advanced implant solutions that are both reliable and reasonably priced.
Supported by a highly experienced clinical team trained in China and overseas, each implant specialist at Huangshan Dental has completed over 10,000 successful procedures. Through long-term collaboration with RES Dental in the United States, international clinical expertise is continuously incorporated into daily practice. Dedicated operating rooms and a three-tier preoperative examination system further ensure treatment safety and consistency.
Patients can complete treatment on the same day of arrival, recover efficiently, and enjoy the natural scenery of Huangshan during their stay. For consultations or more information, please visit huangshandental.com or contact [email protected]
