Why Are My Kid’s Teeth Yellow? Potential Causes of Tooth Discoloration in Children | The Little Royals (2024)

If you’re a parent, it’s important to take care of your child’s oral health. You may have recently noticed that your child’s teeth look yellow compared to other kids. What could be causing this? Is it a serious issue? Can you do anything about it? The team at The Little Royals: Dentistry for Kids is here to help and is always happy to answer any questions you may have.

1. Their Permanent Teeth Are Starting to Come in

If your child is about 6-7 years old and their permanent teeth have started to erupt, you may notice that their permanent teeth look quite a bit more yellow than their baby teeth. Good news: this is normal.

Permanent teeth have more dentin (the layer of the tooth underneath the outer enamel), which has a more yellowish color. They also have very large nerve canals when they erupt and the enamel is more naturally transparent. Combined, these things mean that permanent teeth may often look very yellow compared to baby teeth, which are a milky-white.
This is nothing to be concerned about. Over time, as your child’s permanent teeth calcify, they will become lighter. And, as their baby teeth are replaced with permanent teeth, their smile will look more uniform.

2. Antibiotic Use During Pregnancy or Before the Age of 8

This is probably not the issue, but it does bear mentioning. Some types of antibiotics, primarily tetracycline, can bind to your child’s teeth and stain them if you take it while your child is in-utero or if they take it while under the age of 8.

When the tetracycline binds to the teeth and they erupt, it oxidizes, turning from a yellowish-colored to a darker brown. This effect is well-known, and for this reason, doctors usually do not prescribe tetracycline or similar antibiotics to pregnant women or young children, which is why this is not a very common problem.

3. Weak or Thin Enamel Due to Genetic Factors

Genetics can determine a lot about your child’s health, including the strength of their enamel. Some children are born with weaker or thinner enamel. Enamel is what causes teeth to have a whitish color. The underlying dentin is more yellowish, so a thin layer of enamel can make your kid’s teeth look more yellow than white.

If your child has weak or thin enamel, you will need to see a dentist to ensure that you understand how to care for their teeth properly and mitigate their higher risk of tooth decay. We recommend getting in touch with The Little Royals: Dentistry for Kids right away if you think this is an issue.

4. Plaque/Tartar Buildup Causing Tooth Stains

If your child’s teeth are not being brushed at least 2 times per day for 2 minutes, bacteria may continue to collect and form plaque and tartar (hardened, calcified plaque). Plaque can be stained by beverages and foods, and tartar has a yellowish-brown color.

If you think your child has yellow teeth due to plaque/tartar buildup, you should see Dr. Sal Colombo or Dr. Yasi Colombo right away. We can clean their teeth, and help you develop a better understanding of how to properly maintain your child’s smile to avoid similar issues in the future.

Concerned About Your Child’s Yellow Teeth? Contact The Little Royals: Dentistry for Kids Now!

Whether you’re in Jupiter, Abacoa, Palm Beach Gardens, Country Estates or Jupiter Farm, Dr. Sal and Dr. Yasi Colombo are here to help your little ones get the oral care they need to maintain a healthy smile. So if you’re concerned about yellow teeth, don’t wait. Contact us now at (561) 510-1450 to schedule an appointment, or come to our office at 600 Heritage Drive, Suite 110, Jupiter, FL 33458 to make your appointment in person.

Why Are My Kid’s Teeth Yellow? Potential Causes of Tooth Discoloration in Children | The Little Royals (2024)

FAQs

Why Are My Kid’s Teeth Yellow? Potential Causes of Tooth Discoloration in Children | The Little Royals? ›

Plaque/Tartar Buildup Causing Tooth Stains

Why are my kids grown up teeth coming in yellow? ›

In general, adult teeth come in darker and more yellow compared to primary (baby) teeth. Permanent teeth are naturally darker because they have more dentin, which is the yellow layer of teeth below the enamel. With proper care, your child's adult teeth will lighten and not appear as yellow as when they first erupted.

What vitamin deficiency causes yellow teeth? ›

In adults, low vitamin D status can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Does vitamin D deficiency cause yellow teeth? Yes, vitamin D deficiency can show up as yellow teeth. Yellow or brown spots on teeth are a symptom of rickets, a condition caused by chronic low levels of vitamin D.

Why are my child's teeth coming in discolored? ›

If baby teeth aren't brushed properly, bacteria (plaque) might form on the teeth — which can lead to tooth discoloration. Medication use. Infant medications containing iron, such as supplemental vitamins, might cause stains on baby teeth.

How to remove yellow stains from child's teeth? ›

Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water and brush your kid's teeth with it twice per week. Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that helps to whiten stained teeth. For efficiency, you can mix it with baking soda and brush your kid's teeth with it twice a day for a week.

What illness causes yellow teeth? ›

Some health conditions cause teeth discoloration, including liver disease, celiac disease, calcium deficiency, eating disorders and metabolic diseases. Certain medications. Some medications, like certain antihistamines and drugs for high blood pressure, can result in teeth discoloration.

How do you get rid of genetically yellow teeth? ›

Remedies for yellow teeth
  1. Brushing your teeth. Your first plan of action should be to brush your teeth more often and in the correct manner. ...
  2. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. ...
  3. Coconut oil pulling. ...
  4. Apple cider vinegar. ...
  5. Lemon, orange, or banana peels. ...
  6. Activated charcoal. ...
  7. Eating fruits and vegetables with a higher water content.

Can low iron cause yellow teeth? ›

Even having an iron deficiency will not create yellow teeth. Though taking an iron supplement when you have a deficiency may cause teeth staining. We know that citrus fruits are damaging because of the ascorbic acid – which is essentially Vitamin C.

Can dehydration cause yellow teeth? ›

This study showed that dehydration affected the shade of the teeth: Lightness increased, and therefore, the teeth appeared whiter.

Can liver problems cause yellow teeth? ›

Only the part of the tooth forming at the time a child has liver disease and jaundice will be permanently stained. Once the liver condition has been treated successfully teeth continue to develop normally without staining. These stains cannot be removed with tooth brushing.

What are Hutchinson's teeth? ›

Hutchinson teeth are abnormal permanent upper central incisors that are peg-shaped and notched, usually with obvious thinning and discoloration of enamel in the area of the notching; they are widely spaced and shorter than the lateral incisors; the width of the biting surface is less than that of the gingival margin ( ...

Why is my 6 year old's tooth turning GREY? ›

The simple answer is that a discolored and dark tooth is sort of like a bruise. When your child's tooth is damaged, the blood supply inside the tooth may be damaged, too. This results in a grayish or purplish discoloration of the tooth.

What is teeth discoloration syndrome? ›

Amelogenesis imperfecta is another inherited condition caused by genetic mutations. The condition causes a yellow-brown tooth discoloration and soft, fragile enamel that is prone to pitting or grooving. This condition increases a person's risk of tooth decay, as well as chipping, cracking and breaking in the teeth.

Why are my 7 year old's teeth so yellow? ›

Their Permanent Teeth Are Starting to Come in

If your child is about 6-7 years old and their permanent teeth have started to erupt, you may notice that their permanent teeth look quite a bit more yellow than their baby teeth. Good news: this is normal.

Can vinegar remove yellow teeth? ›

Acids can destroy some of the stain molecules on teeth to reveal a whiter smile. But whitening your teeth with vinegar isn't safe. It can result in tooth enamel damage and, ultimately, more yellow-looking teeth. The same acidity that provides whitening will also wear away on tooth enamel.

Can yellow teeth become white again? ›

Can yellow teeth be bleached? Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.

What causes teeth to start turning yellow? ›

Coffee, tea, colas, wines, and certain fruits and vegetables (for example, apples, and potatoes) can stain your teeth. Tobacco use. Smoking or chewing tobacco can stain teeth. Poor dental hygiene.

Is it normal to be born with yellow teeth? ›

And in fact, genetics can impact the color of a person's teeth. Thicker, whiter enamel can run in families, just as more transparent tooth enamel can be inherited. Many people have genetically yellow teeth that don't respond well to store-bought whiteners or toothpastes.

Why are my child's adult teeth not growing in? ›

Not Enough Space for them to Grow Yet

Most kids have spaces between their baby teeth, which allows for the unhindered growth of permanent teeth. However, some kids may not have those natural spaces to allow the growth of adult teeth.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6291

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.