To protect our patients’ quality of life and oral health, we may prescribe fluoride treatments to strengthen teeth or place restorations to prevent decay from deepening. This allows our team the opportunity to determine whether tooth discoloration requires treatment. In addition to scheduling regular cleanings and checkups with our kid’s dentist, parents and caregivers should also call our office when noticeable changes occur. The gums may become damaged in this case. These stains may also be the result of tooth decay. If the decay gets under the baby teeth, it can move to the permanent teeth. An intrinsic stain could be caused by a deep tooth fracture where the sensitive internal structures of teeth are exposed to debris and bacteria. While intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration looks similar, their causes can vary. Discoloration (Brown Teeth): Yellow or brown discoloration of the teeth along the gum. Intrinsic stains develop when the inside of the tooth is not healthy. They can be dark spots on the surface of the tooth or big, dark holes. Tartar, like teeth, can then become dark in appearance. Abfraction is when a small spot of the tooth surface at your gumline loses its enamel. Here are some top reasons why your teeth could appear discolored or unusual at the gumline. Tartar (hardened plaque) builds up along teeth and gums when patients do not properly clean their teeth with brushing and flossing. The issue could be either with the teeth or with the gums, which can recede and leave tooth roots exposed. Another cause for extrinsic discoloration is poor oral hygiene. For example, antibiotics from the tetracycline family of medications can discolor teeth to where they appear yellow or dark brown. Extrinsic tooth stains occur when teeth are exposed to agents like darkly-colored food or drinks or antibiotics. There are two types of tooth discoloration: extrinsic and intrinsic. Our kid’s dentist offers restorative and preventive pediatric dentistry treatments to help your child enjoy vibrant oral health.
Since this type of tooth discoloration can lead to cavities, your dentist will.
If a child has severe tooth decay, the tooth may darken as well. As the enamel wears away, it can result in white or brown spots on the teeth. Dark spots may also be the result of permanent, extrinsic tooth stains that are caused by exposure to dark foods and drinks. Sometimes teeth may become discolored after a patient has taken certain types of antibiotics.
Has a dark spot formed on your child’s tooth? Are you wondering if this symptom requires professional treatment? Changes in the color of your child’s teeth can appear for a few reasons.