If your kids’ teeth are yellow, it does not necessarily mean that the daily hygiene is sub-par. The tooth coloring depends on multiple factors, such as diet and genetics. Parents of children with dental discoloration often complain to their family dentist in Canberra about the aesthetic nature of this problem.
There is no scientific way to prevent excessive staining of baby teeth. However, there are some things you can do to limit the risk of additional damage or darkening after they fall out.
The surface enamel of a tooth has thousands of microscopic holes (pores) where plaque bacteria can get in and cause stains. Toothpaste for kids should therefore be fluoridated with sodium fluoride, which makes it more difficult for bacterial plaque to get to these pores.
A daily fluoride supplement can also be given orally. It is especially important for children whose teeth are still developing (up until their teen years). If you have an easy way of giving it, it’s good to give your kids a dose every night.
Fluoride in food and drink is often considered less harmful than acidic substances like fruit juices, which leads many parents to reduce their kids’ juice intake as much as possible – or even completely.
Unfortunately, this unnatural limitation on natural foods leads many children with dental discoloration to develop poor nutritional habits later on. A better solution would be fluoridated fruit juices. These can help protect teeth against both staining and decay.
Kids who enjoy playing with toys that have been in their mouths may not agree with this idea. But it is important to be consistent and insist they give them a rinse before putting them back in their mouths.
Tooth brushing is another one of those seemingly complete tasks that many parents don’t consider from start to finish, taking it as an obvious habit. When teeth are still developing, however, there are a few reasons why you should ensure good dental hygiene.
The tooth surface gets damaged by scratchy food particles and sugar at least as much as acidic substances. Without proper care, these damages will eventually lead to cavities.
If plaque isn’t removed regularly enough, the sticky substance can turn into tartar (aka calculus). Once this has happened, only your dentist can remove it. This is important because calculus has sharp edges that irritate the gums and cause gum recession, making them more susceptible to bacteria.
Most importantly, brushing with fluoride will help protect your kids’ teeth against staining and decay.