Deciduous teeth, commonly referred to as baby teeth, start to fall out and are replaced by permanent adult teeth when your child is about five or six years old. It's a crucial period for their growth, and you could notice that your child's once-perfect whites are becoming a deeper tint. In such a scenario, be calm. Compared to baby teeth, permanent adult teeth are inherently darker and contain more dentin. Because enamel is somewhat permeable, dentin colour may be visible through it. In addition, permanent teeth have bigger nerve canals and are more visible when they first come out. When compared to the smaller, lighter baby teeth that are still in your child's mouth, the new permanent adult teeth appear more yellow than primary teeth. The child's permanent teeth will eventually become more consistent in colour and lose their baby teeth.

Reasons teeth may appear yellow that are not related to normal development

The darkening or yellowing of your child's teeth is most likely a typical aspect of their development. This might not always be the case, though, for a few reasons. Here are a few possible explanations for your child's growing teeth seeming darker or discoloured, aside from the usual conditions of development.

Consumption of some Foods and Drinks

Your child's tooth colour may change depending on what they eat and drink. Tomatoes, berries, and other foods heavy in pigment can discolour your teeth. Sports drinks, sodas, and other fruit juices can also discolour teeth.

The following particular enamel-altering substances should be avoided:

• Acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, curry sauce, and carbonated drinks)

• Tannins: present in red grape juice, tea, and coffee

• Citric acid (a preservative used in a variety of foods, such as sports drinks and sour sweets).

The length of time or frequency of teeth's exposure to these compounds determines the extent of discoloration. It is a good idea to have your youngster rinse with water after eating or drinking anything acidic or highly coloured.

Plaque Buildup on the Teeth due to poor hygiene

There are certain reasons why certain dentists advise routine dental cleanings. Children who don't properly brush and floss their teeth run the risk of germs accumulating and developing into tartar, or hardened, calcified plaque. Foods and drinks can stain plaque, and tartar often has a yellowish-brown hue. It may indicate true tooth decay if you notice black.

Trauma

Any time an accident occurs, it can cause discoloration in children's teeth. Accidents that damage the nerve in or near a tooth can also cause discoloration in children's teeth; this discoloration forms within the tooth or teeth that the nerve is attached to. If your child has one tooth that is grey or yellow from trauma to the nerve, please call us right away so we can examine it.

Medications and Antibiotics

If your child takes certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline, while pregnant or before the age of eight, it may result in yellow stains on their teeth. Tetracycline attaches itself to the teeth and starts to oxidise when they erupt. It will appear yellow at first, but it can gradually become brown. Tetracycline and related antibiotics are generally not prescribed to pregnant women in the second or third trimester or to children younger than eight years old.

How to Treat Discoloured Teeth

Make an evaluation appointment for your child if you believe that their yellow teeth might be the result of something other than normal growth. Once the reason of the discoloration has been identified, we can suggest a suitable course of action. Dental hygiene is always very important. Ensure that your youngster flosses at least once a day and brushes twice a day. Early dental treatment encourages your kid to develop strong oral habits that will help them keep a beautiful, healthy smile as they get older. Don't forget to schedule routine dental exams. Every six months, we advise arranging for a cleaning and preventive checkup. This allows us to keep an eye on areas of concern that are already there and to identify any emerging problems before they get worse.

Generally speaking, children shouldn't use over-the-counter tooth whitening solutions until they have lost all of their baby teeth. At your child's next appointment, we may talk about whitening procedures if you have any questions.