It can be alarming for parents to notice yellowing of their baby’s teeth. Teeth typically start coming in around 6 months of age, so seeing discoloration in a 10 month old’s new teeth is troubling. However, there are a few common reasons why a 10 month old may have yellow teeth.
What causes yellow teeth in babies?
Here are some of the most common causes of yellow teeth in babies:
- Normal fluorosis – Fluoride is important for healthy teeth. But too much fluoride while teeth are forming can lead to mild discoloration known as fluorosis. This is common if a baby gets too much fluoride from sources like tap water or fluoride supplements.
- Antibiotics – Some antibiotic side effects can cause teeth discoloration. The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are most known for this.
- Injury – If a baby’s teeth undergo trauma from a fall or injury, the trauma can disrupt the tooth development and lead to discoloration.
- Genetics – Some babies may simply inherit teeth that are more yellow in color.
Is fluorosis causing the yellow teeth?
Fluorosis from getting too much fluoride during tooth development is one of the most common reasons for baby teeth discoloration. Fluorosis causes white spots, flecks, yellowing, brown staining, or pitting of forming tooth enamel.
The critical times for fluorosis are while the baby teeth are forming in utero and then when the permanent teeth are forming, from birth to age 8. Even if you live in an area with fluoridated water, your baby may get too much fluoride overall from a combination of fluoridated water plus fluoride supplements or fluoride toothpaste.
Risk factors for fluorosis
- Living in an area with fluoridated tap water
- Taking fluoride supplements
- Using fluoride toothpaste before age 2
- Drinking infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated tap water
- Consuming other sources of fluoride like certain foods, juices, tea
Preventing fluorosis
To prevent fluorosis while your child’s permanent teeth are still forming:
- Use non-fluoridated bottled water for drinking and mixing infant formula if your tap water is fluoridated
- Consult your pediatrician before giving fluoride supplements
- Avoid juice and foods processed with fluoridated water
- Use only a smear of non-fluoride toothpaste until age 2
- Get your tap water tested to determine fluoride levels
Could antibiotics be causing the discoloration?
Certain antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline can stain developing teeth if given to young children. Tetracycline has the strongest association with discoloration. The staining can range from yellow or gray to brown banding on the teeth.
Tetracycline may be prescribed to infants and young children for bacterial infections like pneumonia, acne, urinary tract infections, and chlamydia. If your baby took a course of one of these antibiotics while their teeth were developing, it may have caused the yellow discoloration you’re seeing.
Risk factors for antibiotic staining
- Taking tetracycline as a young child while teeth are still developing
- A long course of tetracycline treatment
- High dosage amounts of tetracycline
- Repeated courses of tetracycline treatment
Preventing antibiotic tooth staining
You can reduce the chance of antibiotic-related staining by:
- Avoiding tetracycline and doxycycline for young children unless absolutely necessary
- Asking your pediatrician to prescribe a different antibiotic if possible
- Giving the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration needed
Could dental injury be causing it?
An injury to a baby’s mouth or teeth can affect the tooth development and enamel formation. Falls, accidents, or trauma to the teeth can cause cracking, chips, discoloration or odd coloring of the damaged teeth.
If your baby had any trauma to their mouth like a fall or hitting their mouth on a hard object, look for bruising, cuts, or redness on the gums or existing teeth. The trauma may have impacted the emerging teeth and led to injury or discoloration.
Signs of dental injury
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- Loose tooth
- Broken tooth
- Cut or bruise on gum or lip
- Unusual bleeding
- Tooth discoloration
Preventing dental trauma
You can reduce the chances of dental injury by:
- Using corner guards, safety gates and other childproofing products
- Having your child wear a mouthguard during sports
- Closely supervising playtime to avoid falls
- Using high chairs and carriers properly to prevent falling
- Avoiding hard foods that could chip teeth
Is it genetic discoloration?
While less common than the other causes, some babies simply inherit teeth that are more yellowish in shade. Certain genes can make teeth appear more yellow or enamel appear thinner and more translucent, showing more of the yellowish dentin underneath.
If your baby’s teeth seem more yellow than their emerging white baby teeth should be, genetics could be the reason. This is especially likely if you also had yellowish teeth since childhood without other clear causes.
Genetic risk factors
- Family history of yellowish teeth
- Thin enamel runs in family
- Intrinsic discoloration in family teeth
Genetic discoloration cannot be prevented since it is inherited. But you can talk to your dentist about options like dental bonding or veneers later in life to cosmetically improve the appearance of genetically yellowish teeth.
When to see a pediatric dentist
You should have a pediatric dentist evaluate any significant discoloration or other tooth abnormalities present at 10 months old. A dental exam can help determine the cause and if any treatment is needed.
See a pediatric dentist right away if your baby has:
- Severe tooth discoloration
- Pitted, chipped, loose or damaged teeth
- Unusual spots or stains on teeth
- Discoloration combined with dental pain
- Teeth that appear damaged
Early dental intervention is important for protecting your child’s oral health.
What will the dentist do?
At the first visit, the dentist will:
- Ask about your child’s health history and any medications
- Evaluate all symptoms you’ve noticed
- Do a clinical exam of the teeth, gums, jaws, bite etc.
- Check for decay, trauma, fluorosis and other problems
- Take X-rays if needed for closer evaluation
Based on the exam, the dentist will be able to determine the cause of the discoloration. They can then advise you on next steps to protect your child’s teeth.
Dentist treatment for fluorosis
If fluorosis is causing the yellowing, treatment may include:
- Reducing fluoride exposure from water, food, etc.
- Applying dental varnish to protect teeth
- Monitoring for improvement as adult teeth erupt
- Whitening treatments on adult teeth later in life if needed
- Dental bonding or veneers on adult teeth if discoloration worsens
Dentist treatment for antibiotic staining
If antibiotic staining occurred, dentists may:
- Provide whitening on adult teeth later in life
- Do dental bonding or veneers on adult teeth
- Monitor tooth development and function
Dentist treatment for dental injury
For dental trauma, treatment may involve:
- Root canals on damaged teeth
- Tooth extractions if teeth are loose or damaged severely
- Antibiotics for any infections
- Monitoring for developmental effects
- Dental bonding or veneers later in life if needed
Home care for yellow teeth
While waiting for your dental appointment, you can:
- Brush teeth twice daily with a soft baby toothbrush
- Use a rice-sized smear of non-fluoride toothpaste
- Wipe gums clean after feedings with damp gauze
- Avoid sharing utensils or cups to limit bacteria
- Watch for signs of injury or irritation like bleeding
Be sure to bring up any concerns about feeding, teething, sleeping, or biting during your visit. The dentist can offer guidance on managing any dental health issues.
When will baby teeth fall out?
Baby teeth typically fall out on their own as the permanent teeth grow in. The first teeth to fall out are usually the lower center incisors around age 6. Here is the typical timeline for baby teeth loss:
- Lower center incisors: 6-7 years
- Upper center incisors: 7-8 years
- Upper and lower lateral incisors: 7-8 years
- First molars: 9-11 years
- Canines: 10-12 years
- Second molars: 10-12 years
Since the adult incisors and canines tend to come in behind the baby teeth, those teeth are more likely to become loose and fall out on their own. The adult molars come in behind the baby molars, so those tend to need extraction.
Signs a tooth is ready to fall out
- Tooth is loose or wiggles
- Permanent tooth visible behind it
- No pain when moving it
- Tooth appears longer as roots dissolve
- Pink tissue instead of white root
Let teeth fall out naturally when the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. If a baby tooth is still firmly in place with no permanent tooth pushing it, talk to your dentist.
Should I pull out baby teeth?
You should never pull out a baby tooth yourself. Allow teeth to come out on their own to avoid damaging the permanent teeth developing under them. Here are some guidelines:
- Never yank or pull on a baby tooth
- Don’t let your child play with or constantly wiggle loose teeth
- Wait for very loose teeth to fall out on their own
- See a dentist if a loose tooth hangs on for long periods
- Dentists can extract baby teeth that are stubborn about falling out
Pulling baby teeth prematurely yourself can lead to problems like:
- Injury to the permanent tooth bud
- Infection of the socket
- Permanent tooth coming in the wrong position
- Premature loss of space needed for adult teeth
Let your dentist assess when and if a baby tooth needs extraction to make way for the permanent teeth.
What if a baby tooth falls out early?
While baby teeth usually come out around age 6 to 12, premature loss can happen. If a baby tooth falls out or requires extraction earlier than normal, here are some risks:
- Permanent teeth may drift into the empty space
- It can affect proper spacing for adult teeth
- The child may develop a lisp from the gap
- Jaw growth may be affected
To prevent these issues, your dentist may recommend a space maintainer appliance if a baby tooth is lost too soon. This holds the gap open for the permanent tooth.
When early loss may occur
- Severe tooth decay
- Injury or trauma
- Congenital disorder
- Gum disease
See your dentist right away if a baby tooth is lost prematurely to discuss next steps for protecting proper tooth alignment.
Conclusion
Yellowing of your baby’s teeth can be concerning but is often caused by harmless factors like fluorosis or genetic discoloration. However, some causes do require dental treatment. Be sure to have your pediatric dentist examine any significant discoloration, damage, or abnormalities affecting your baby’s teeth. With prompt evaluation, your dentist can help prevent further issues and restore your child’s oral health.