How to Prevent Discoloration of Baby Teeth

Good oral hygiene begins with baby teeth. Care for baby teeth well to prevent discoloration or other dental problems. Though slight discoloration of baby teeth is normal, take steps to prevent the discoloration from becoming too dramatic. There are several causes for the discoloration of baby teeth.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start brushing baby teeth twice a day, even if only one tooth appears. Use infant toothpaste and a toothbrush designed for baby's teeth, with small, soft bristles.

2. Let your baby to handle his own toothbrush, if possible. Even chewing on a toothbrush can be adequate to clean the teeth and this will teach and encourage the child to brush often as the child gets older.

3. Brush after administering antibiotics, if the baby is taking medicine. Frequent use of antibiotics can lead to discoloration of baby teeth.

4. Remove a bottle from the baby's mouth if he falls asleep while feeding. Allowing the liquid to remain in the baby's mouth while asleep can form bacteria in the mouth that can cause discoloration of the teeth.

Tips & Warnings

• Refrain from giving the baby drinks with sugar, such as fruit juice or even milk, after nightly brushing. Sugary drinks before bed, after the teeth have already been cleaned, can lead to discoloration and even tooth decay.
• Bring the baby for regular dental checkups as soon as baby teeth appear.
• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing a baby's teeth, and avoid allowing the child to swallow any toothpaste.
• Don't allow a baby to chew on a toothbrush without adult supervision.
• Don't put sugar on a pacifier to encourage the child to use it, especially while the child is sleeping.
• Don't allow the baby to dissolve bread in his mouth in the place of a pacifier. The sugars in the bread can coat the teeth and lead to dental problems.
• Discolored teeth can be the sign of a chronic disease or recurring fever.
• Too much fluoride can cause discoloration. If your tap water contains fluoride, use a toothpaste with less fluoride to prevent overexposure.

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