When Kids’ Teeth are Yellow – What It Means
Posted on June 1st, 2022 | Christopher Neal
Yellow Teeth in Children – Should You Be Worried?
As children grow, their teeth change over time, and some children’s teeth look yellow at certain points in their life. Many parents wonder if this is normal, or something to be concerned about. It raises questions like, “Why are my kid’s teeth yellow?” and “Should we visit the dentist?”
Below you will learn about the common causes of yellow teeth in children, and whether or not they are worth being worried about.
Reasons for Discoloration
There are several reasons children’s teeth can appear yellow, and if your child’s teeth look yellow it is not necessarily due to a dental health issue.
Reason number one is that the yellow teeth in question are new adult teeth that have recently erupted. While baby teeth are usually bright white in color, permanent adult teeth can appear more yellow than primary teeth when they first come in, and it is particularly noticeable when your child still has white baby teeth surrounding the new permanent teeth. These teeth will usually gain a whiter appearance over time, especially if the current discoloration appears uniform.
Thin enamel, which is often due to genetics, is another reason for yellow teeth in kids. When tooth enamel is thin, it means that dentin (the middle layer of the tooth structure that protects the pulp) is more visible. Dentin is naturally a dark yellow color, so if traditionally white enamel is thin, it can make teeth appear yellow. Additionally, thin enamel can mean a child is more prone to cavities.
Finally, a child’s teeth may appear yellow due to surface stains and improper hygiene. When plaque builds up, it can harden and become what is known as tartar, a hard, yellow/brown substance that damages tooth enamel. Stains also gather more easily on plaque and tartar than on clean enamel, which can further discolor teeth. In these cases, a teeth cleaning and examination is essential in order to protect your child’s dental health.
Visit Chicago kiDDS for Quality Dental Care Today
If you are concerned your children’s yellow teeth may mean their dental health is at risk, contact the team at Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry today. As pediatric dentists, it is our goal to ensure your children maintain optimal oral health, which means that if their teeth have weak enamel, unnatural tooth discoloration caused by stains, plaque or tartar, or your child is at a higher risk of developing tooth decay, we will be there to help!
