My child’s permanent teeth are coming in yellow, what can I do? What causes yellow teeth? Until what age should children be supervised in brushing their teeth? What should I do if my teeth become yellow after an antibiotic? Until what age should children brush their teeth? And finally, are grandma’s tooth whitening remedies safe?
I. Causes of Yellow Teeth
Yellow teeth can have several origins in children as well as in adults.
They can have a hereditary origin, which means that they are part of the person’s genetic makeup.
This genetic heritage determines the color of the teeth and their evolution over the years.
The thinner your enamel, the less opaque it is and the more transparent your dentin is.
Note that dentin is yellow, hence the yellow color of your child’s teeth.
In addition, for adults, bad eating habits can cause yellow teeth. If you drink too much coffee, tea, and citrus fruits, or if you smoke, you are more likely to have yellow teeth.
Finally, certain diseases and their treatments can have an impact on yellow teeth on the sides.
II. My Child’s Permanent Teeth Are Coming in Yellow, What Can I Do?
Baby teeth have less dentin and appear almost translucent compared to permanent teeth which have more dentin.
It is the dentin that gives this yellow color to permanent teeth
If your daughter’s teeth are coming in yellow, the best solution is to teach her a good oral hygiene routine to avoid the first yellow permanent teeth.
It should start with regular and thorough brushing after meals. Choose appropriate toothpaste.
You can buy her a whitening toothpaste that she can combine with regular toothpaste.
You should know that whitening toothpaste has an exfoliating action. She should accompany this brushing with dental floss or brushes.
She should also use mouthwash every other day to sanitize her oral cavity.
Change her toothbrush no more than every three months. She should also eat calcium-rich foods.
III. Until What Age Should Children’s Tooth Brushing Be Supervised?
It all depends on your child. From the first few years of life, when you notice that your child’s teeth are growing, brush them yourself.
From the age of four or five, when they become independent, show them the right way. If necessary, you can re-brush the teeth if you notice that the job wasn’t done properly.
But in general, by age eight or nine, you can trust them. Just make sure they’ve brushed at least twice a day.
And every once in a while, ask to see the teeth. And if you see that the teeth are yellow, review the brushing routine with them.
Around this age, the first yellow permanent teeth may appear.
Finally, don’t forget to take them to the dentist at least every six months.
Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have to help your children regain their beautiful white teeth.
IV. Are Yellow Teeth Hereditary?
The answer is yes. Teeth that grow yellow are hereditary. It should be noted that to determine the whiteness of teeth, two main factors come into play.
These are the color of your gums and the color of your skin.
In addition, it is noted that the older you get, the younger your teeth look.
This is due to the natural wear of the film on the enamel that makes the dentin more visible. And this dentin is naturally yellow.
Other factors also contribute to yellow teeth. Such as diet and taking certain medications.
V. What Are the Different Methods of Teeth Whitening?
To have white teeth, you can choose between four methods:
# At the Dentist
Here, you have three modes of treatment: ambulatory treatment. Here, the dentist makes a tray for the patient and gives him syringes with a whitening product.
The product must be applied several hours a day.
Then you have the chairside treatment. The dentist applies a lightening product highly concentrated in hydrogen peroxide for one hour.
Finally, there is the mixed treatment, which combines the first two methods.
# Home Whitening Kits
If you can’t afford a dentist, this is the method you can use.
Whitening kits include trays, strips, brush-on gel, and whitening toothpaste.
Treatment with these kits can take up to a month or so.
# Smile Bars
In these establishments, you can have your teeth whitened in just a few minutes.
A silicone tray filled with a whitening product is placed on your teeth.
You wait under an LED lamp for about 20 minutes.
# Home Recipes
It is possible to whiten your teeth with everyday products.
You can brush your teeth with lemon juice, baking soda, green clay, activated charcoal, cider vinegar, and sea salt.
Or you can use essential oils like peppermint, lemon, cinnamon, or clove. Or coconut oil or propolis.
VI. Are Home Remedies for Tooth Whitening Safe?
Home remedies are not without risk for teeth and gums.
These tricks use products that are aggressive to the teeth such as lemon or baking soda.
Indeed, by using them every day, you run the risk of destroying the enamel of your teeth.
That’s why dentists recommend using them once or twice a week.
VII. Yellow Teeth After Antibiotics: What to Do?
Among the causes of yellow teeth on the sides, you have antibiotic treatments.
The first thing to do to get your teeth white again is to stop the treatment. This is not a problem since you have stopped the treatment.
You have several methods at your disposal to get your teeth white again.
But it is advisable to turn to a dentist. The dentist will assess the damage caused by your treatment. He or she will determine the best treatment for your teeth.
Indeed, by using grandmotherly methods or going to a smile bar, you are more likely to cause more damage to your teeth.
Useful Links:
Why Are My Child’s Teeth Yellow and What Can I Do About It?
Bad teeth? Here’s when you can and can’t blame your parents
How to fill the gap between teeth naturally at home?