DD's teeth are discolouring help!

angie_loves_veg

Hi

My daughter is age 6 (nearly 7), and if relevant, has type 1 diabetes (since age 2).

She brushes twice daily using Colgate stages toothpaste appropriate for her age, and uses a mouthwash (Lysterine smart rinse) afterwards.

She uses a Braun electric toothbrush with an age appropriate head, and brushes for a timed 2 minutes.

I have noticed that her front teeth are becoming clearly discoloured - rather than being white, they are light beige - this is becoming increasingly notiable, and I think the colouration is changing rapidly.

She got her baby teeth when 4 months old (early?), and has lost her baby teeth (fairly) early, she had lost 8 by the time she turned 6. All her 'big' teeth have therefore been through for at least a year.

Is there anything that we should be doing / are doing wrong in her oral routine? Is there any way to reverse teeth discolouration, or perhaps, why is it happening?

thanks

minxystar

Hi Angie

There are usually some dentists on this forum so I'm sure they will be able to advise you best. However, I did a quick google and foound this info for you:

• Foods/drinks. 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. Inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances like coffee and tobacco can cause tooth discoloration.
• Disease. Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the underlying material under enamel) can lead to tooth discoloration. In addition, treatments for certain conditions can also affect tooth color. For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration. In addition, certain infections in pregnant mothers can cause tooth discoloration in the infant by affecting enamel development.
• Medications. The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are known to discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing (before the age of 8). Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth. Antihistamines (like Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs, and antihypertensive medications also cause teeth discoloration.
• Dental materials. Some of the materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cast a gray-black color to teeth.
• Advancing age. As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth gets worn away revealing the natural yellow color of dentin.
• Genetics. Some people have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others.
• Environment. Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth) can cause teeth discoloration.
• Trauma. For example, damage from a fall can disturb enamel formation in young children whose teeth are still developing. Trauma can also cause discoloration to adult teeth.

I'm guessing your DD doesn't smoke and it's not advancing age, but has she had antiobiotics or a bash to the mouth at some point? My sister has differently coloured front teeth also and I know that is due to a bike accident when she was little.

Hope this helps a bit and you get some better advice shortly!

Minxystar
x

angie_loves_veg

Lol! No, she is a non-smoking, non drinking 6 year old! She doesn't drink tea or coffee. Cola (diet) is infrequent (once a fortnight?) She does eat a very healthy diet, which of course includes apples and potatoes. She has had no dental treatment other than check ups.

She has had antibiotics recently (for impetigo) and obviously uses insulin as her medication.

I wonder if our mouth rinse is a cause?

I know that people spend a lot of money and time trying to improve teeth colour when they are older, and I am hoping there is something that someone sees as obvious that will save her this in the future ..

minxystar

Hello

Yes, it might be the mouthwash - just found this thread via google on one of the parenting forums:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=11709397

If she is using listerine then you need to make sure she firstly cleans her teeth with toothpaste THEN rinses really well and then uses the mouthwash. Apparently the toothpaste and mouthwash can interact and cause discolouration....Rubbish really isn't it??

Minxystar

angie_loves_veg

Minxy - you are indeed a star. Thank you so much for finding that link - we will stop the use of it straight away.

There is no warning on the bottle at all - I sincerely hope that with time, they will fade back to her beautiful pearly whites.

thanks again

angie x

Toothsmith

You need to get an opinion from a dentist who can see her teeth - but at a guess, I'd say it was the mouthwash.

There is no reason for a 6 yr old to use a mouthwash.

There is no reason for anyone to use a mouthwash regularly - Cause more problems than they solve in all but a few incidents when limited use for a few weeks is indicated.

Toothsmith

angie_loves_veg wrote: »

Minxy - you are indeed a star. Thank you so much for finding that link - we will stop the use of it straight away.

There is no warning on the bottle at all - I sincerely hope that with time, they will fade back to her beautiful pearly whites.

thanks again

angie x

Get her to a dentist to make sure this is what it is. Don't take the word of t'interweb.

jinky67

Toothsmith wrote: »

You need to get an opinion from a dentist who can see her teeth - but at a guess, I'd say it was the mouthwash.

There is no reason for a 6 yr old to use a mouthwash.

There is no reason for anyone to use a mouthwash regularly - Cause more problems than they solve in all but a few incidents when limited use for a few weeks is indicated.

I know this is OT but could you explain why please?

Toothsmith

Because only a dentist who can see her teeth is in a position to make a proper diagnosis.

angie_loves_veg

Toothsmith wrote: »

Get her to a dentist to make sure this is what it is. Don't take the word of t'interweb.

will do

thanks

jinky67

Toothsmith wrote: »

Because only a dentist who can see her teeth is in a position to make a proper diagnosis.

That was not what I meant and I think you know that:p

i meant about mouthwash:D