Some parents feel dismayed to discover that their child's smile is not pearly white, but instead stained or streaked with colors varying from orange to grey. There are many different causes of childhood tooth discoloration -- some of them are more serious, and others are simply cosmetic problems. Either way, you can learn the cause and what can be done to fix it.
When Teeth Are Grey
Grey teeth have a number of causes. If only one tooth is grey, and the color is quite dark, it's usually a sign of trauma to the tooth. Sometimes, teeth that experience blunt force trauma slowly die in the mouth, leading to the grey color. Increased blood flow to an injured tooth can also make it appear grayish in color. Your dentist will need to x-ray the tooth and conduct an exam to rule out infection -- sometimes, injured teeth can abscess, necessitating their removal. Other times, they'll heal and return to their original color.
If many teeth are grey, the other culprit is antibiotic use. For example, tetracycline can cause teeth to have a grey color when teeth of still developing. If pregnant mothers take tetracycline, their children can have teeth that appear grey in color. Young children also develop grey teeth from this antibiotic. Permanent teeth can also be affected by tetracycline, so treatments usually include intense bleaching, veneers, or crowns.
Less harmful -- and much more commonly prescribed to children -- is amoxicillin, which can temporarily stain teeth grey. The stains go away with vigorous brushing and fastidious oral hygiene.
When Teeth Are Orange Or Yellow
Orange and yellow stains on the teeth are most often caused by poor dental hygiene in children. Parents can prevent stains by administering frequent brushing, paying special attention to the gum line, where orange food buildup is the most common. Professional teeth cleaning and attention to daily brushing will help to prevent stains from worsening.
When Teeth Are Black
Black patches or lines can appear on teeth when children are given iron-containing medications. Since iron overdose is quite dangerous for children, only those with diagnosed anemia problems and prescribed medications with iron should have actual black stains.
When Teeth Are Patched With White
Sometimes, it's possible for children to have white stains -- teeth are naturally a creamy, ivory color, and bright white patches seem out of place. The most common cause for white patches is a condition called fluorosis, which is causes by too much exposure to fluoride during childhood. These tooth stains are hard to remove because they are intrinsic to the tooth itself, but for really noticeable cases, caps, veneers, and bleaching can help reduce their visibility. White patches can also indicate the first stage of oral decay, signifying the need for greater attention to brushing.