There are many reasons why your child’s teeth could be yellow. Most often it’s not anything to be concerned about. Here are a few reasons why your child’s teeth can become yellow and discoloured even when they practice good oral hygiene.
Blame it on genetics
Your child’s appearance is determined by genetics including their teeth and their colour. According to Colgate thin, soft, or weak tooth enamel can be a genetic trait, and as a result, your child’s teeth may appear more yellow than white. The yellow you see in this case is the dentine, the white part of the tooth is the protective enamel. When the enamel is thin you can see more dentine.
Bumps and injuries
Injury can also cause permanent discolouration of the teeth turning them yellow. Sometimes in the case of pulp necrosis (when the inner pulp of the tooth is dead), your child’s teeth could even be tinged with grey. LiveScience says that no amount of brushing or teeth whitening products can reverse tooth discolouration caused by injury because the cause of the yellowing, in this case, is in the inner part of the tooth.
Certain types of medication
Some medications like tetracycline antibiotics can be embedded in a child’s teeth (especially those under the age of 8) and permanently discolour their teeth. According to the Cleveland Clinic medications taken during the late stages of pregnancy or while breastfeeding can also cause yellowing in a young child’s baby teeth. This type of yellowing is not a reflection on your child’s oral hygiene or even an indication that you should stop breastfeeding; it is only a cosmetic yellowing.
Permanent teeth can be a different colour
While your child may have had pearly white baby teeth, heir permanent teeth may be less white and look yellow in contrast. Colgate says this is normal and doesn’t mean your child’s teeth are dirty or decaying. Permanent teeth can have thinner enamel exposing more of the dentine and making them appear yellow, especially in comparison with baby teeth that may have had thicker and stronger enamel.
Teeth whitening options
When oral hygiene is not the issue and the discolouration of your child’s teeth, there is very little you can do about it. Tooth whitening works on the outer part of the tooth and according to healthychildren.org tooth whitening is not recommended for children whose teeth are still developing. If the colour of your child’s teeth is a concern as they grow older there are several cosmetic dental solutions like veneers that can give the appearance of bright white teeth.
