Why Are My Child’s Permanent Teeth Coming in Yellow?

Are your little one’s permanent teeth finally coming in? If so, it’s an exciting time! But have you noticed that their teeth are coming in a bit yellow? Here’s what you need to know about adult teeth and their coloring.

Why Would Adult Teeth Come In More Yellow Than Baby Teeth?

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.

Reasons My Child’s Adult Teeth Are Yellow

While it’s completely normal for adult teeth to appear more yellow, there are some factors that may cause adult teeth to have a dark, unnatural yellow tint. Some of the most common reasons for severely yellow, newly erupted adult teeth are:

• Dental Injury – If your child’s adult tooth is injured from a fall or an object, it can cause the tooth to become severely discolored. Oftentimes, injured adult teeth will have a dark yellow or gray tint to them.
• Genetics – Teeth come in many shapes, sizes, and shades. If your child’s teeth come in more yellow than normal, they may be genetically predetermined to be more yellow than others.
• Medications – Some medications can actually cause adult teeth to be more yellow than they should be. Doctors avoid prescribing certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline, to pregnant mothers because they can have a chemical reaction with the tooth enamel, causing severe yellow tooth stains.
• Poor Oral Hygiene – Oral hygiene is crucial to oral health and the shade of teeth. If baby teeth are properly taken care of, your child is more likely to have brighter adult teeth. If their oral hygiene is neglected, their tooth coloring will reflect it.

Schedule Your Child’s Dental Cleaning!

Does your child have abnormally yellow adult teeth coming in? We recommend contacting their dentist to help determine the cause and create a treatment plan for their needs. Make sure you’re helping your child properly brush and floss at home and that they are getting biannual dental cleanings to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.

Looking for a pediatric dental home in Kerrville, TX? Contact Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry to schedule your child’s next cleaning!