Dirty Teeth...

My son had 2 small spots on his lower teeth and later I was told by a ped. dentist that it was staining probably from antibiotics or iron in his liquid vitamins.

My daughter (at around 2 years) had some discoloration as well, especially her 2 front top teeth. I was confused because we are quite strict about dental hygeine. I was told by her pediatrician and her dentist (after a cleaning) that that was her natural shade.

Now that she has adult teeth, the natural color of them - which I once considered discoloration, is just fine. She doesn't drink anything that stains, she does eat a lot of berries, but she has regular cleanings and her smile is beautiful.

I started using toothbrushes instead of the infant gum cleaners around 12 months. Since my kids fought this transition our dr. recommended electric toothbrushes because you could get more cleaning accomplished in a shorter amount of time. I really love them as they are gentle but efficient.

Ask your pediatrician his/her opinion and make an appointment with a dentist if you feel it necessary. My kids started seeing a dentist regularly as soon as they turned 2. Good luck!

My daughter had exactly the same thing at 2 years old. I asked my pediatrician about it, but she didn't really know what it was either. I knew that some dentists like to see babies as soon as they get teeth and some say you can wait until three years old so I figured that I should take her to a pediatric dentist. It turned out that it wasn't anything serious and the yellow color came off when the dentist cleaned her teeth. She said that I should be using a stronger tooth paste like Kid's Crest with cavity protection. My daughter was not great at spitting out the toothpaste at that point, but the dentist said to only use a baby pea sized amount and It would be ok if she swallowed such a small amount.
I was lucky that my daughter let the dentist clean her teeth at such a young age. Some kids would not be cooperative, I'm sure. I think that you should take your daughter to the dentist and if she lets them clean her teeth, great, if not, at least the dentist can take a look to be sure it is nothing serious.
If you happen to be in Fairfield, Ct, Kid's First Pediatric Dentists are fantastic.

All the best, B.

I am a dental hygienist and a mother (twin 3 1/2yr old girls). Sounds like she just needs her teeth cleaned. If you think she will cooperate, you should bring her to a pediatric DDS. Generally it is recommended to start at around 2 1/2yrs to 3 yrs of age unless there is some trauma or visible problem. What you describe doesn't sound serious, but a dental visit would probably make you feel better. Good Luck. Stick to a child's toothbrush and make sure it is soft. (adults should also only use soft)

I would chill on the hard brushing, and I would not buy a regular toothbrush. But I would take her to the pediatrician, and ask! Tooth brushing at this point is mostly to get her used to the experience, not to really get those teeth scrubbed and polished. Overdoing it may give her a hangup about brushing, and that's the last thing you want!

These marks do not mean she isn't clean. Don't stress! Just chat with your doc. It's too early to see a dentist.

BTW red, irritated gums in a baby usually mean either 1) more teeth are coming, or 2) you are brushing too hard!

I was at the doc with my 11 month old on Friday and he has 4 teeth so I asked when I should start brushing etc. She said no brushing or toothpaste (not sure if u are using) the floride can turn teeth yellow, She said just wipe them clean with a tissue and to go to the dentist after age 1. Hope this helps

You can bring her to a child dentist now. Even when she got her first tooth they go see a dentist. If you were irritable and made her gums bleed because they looked dirty, no wonder she won't open her mouth. To encourage you....make it fun. I have three boys and it's hard to get them to do it. Let her see you enjoy getting your teeth brushed and then let her build trust in you again to have her teeth brushed and then let her do it. It's a rule in my house, Mommy brushes your teeth and then you do it and that way, they feel they have the independence and kids love independence (give them independence as they grow only what they can handle) :) You may want to talk to the dr about it and see what he thinks and what he suggests. Now that you have a child, you will learn and may haveto accept some changes and let go that obsession of cleanliness. I like clean too but I have learned to be flexible and let go alot of obsessions.
Have fun and enjoy her as her. :)

one quick question...is your daughter falling asleep using a bottle or cup with anything other than water? if she is falling asleep either nursing, or using milk or juice...that could be the problem...if not, I'd just go to a pediatric dentist or your ped and get advice...but remember no ones teeth are really white...and actually stronger teeth tend to be more yellow...you'll see as her permanent teeth come in that they'll be darker than the baby teeth...

Just call your pediatrician to ease your mind. Don't scrub her teeth...you are probably irritating her gums and making them red. I used to work with someone whose son had yellow teeth due to bottle rot. She used to give him a bottle in his crib and he would fall asleep drinking it which led to the bottle rot. If this is something you do be sure to stop right away and check with your ped. Good luck.

My son's teeth started getting yellow too when he was about 18 months. Months later, a friend who's is a dental hygenist told me that it was probably due to the NEW formulation of the liquid multivitamins he was taking (her daughter had the same problem)since the staining was worse in the areas where the plaque and/ or stained saliva are more likely to accumulate, like around the gumline and crevices of bottom molars. I'd never though of rinsing his mouth after giving him his vitamins! We saw an improvement once we started doing just that and brushing his teeth with the battery operated brush.

Hi,
Definetly take her to the dentist. My son had some stuff on his two bottom teeth and the dentist took care of it right away. They recommend the first dentist visit at one year. I think to help make the children use to the visits. My son is two and goes every six months. I also heard vitamins can turn kids teeth yellow. Good luck

ask a dentist what's up

Dentists say that as soon as the child has teeth, they can be brought to the dentist. If you don't want to do that yet, check with your regular pediatrician.

Try a soft bristle toothbrush, and brush her little teeth twice a day. The yellow on her teeth is plaque. You may need the dentist to remove that. Try to find a good pediatric dentist in your neighborhood, and she'll be fine.

Good luck & Happy New Year!

You should buy her a small regular toothbrush, soft bristled. You should also bring your daughter to a pediatric dentist. This dentist has gone two extra years of training in the field of pediatric dentistry. This dentist will examine your daughter and diagnose what the situation is. It could be staining from a recent course of antibiotics to the beginning of dental decay. A pediatric dentist will let you know and treat your daughter appropriately.

A concerned pediatric DDS in practice for 21 years!!!!

Hi Nastassja,

There could be a number of issues, but what do you give her at night in her bottle?

I've notice my friend's babies and relatives babies having this problem. At night when my daughter was a baby I gave her her bottle of milk and when she was finished I wiped her mouth clean. If she wanted something else I gave her water or a pacifer. She is twelve now and has no cavities. Giving babies milk to suck on all night or juice messes up their gums and their baby teeth before they even come in. Cavities are now normal for babies and toddlers.

This may not be the problem, but check into it.

Could be absolutely anything! Take her to a pediatric dentist for a professional opinion. My four year old goes to a fantastic guy in Kearny.