Any dentists?

[ali23]

Dd1. 6.9, has always had beautiful teeth. No problems before. However, she has three new adult teeth coming at the bottom of her mouth and they seem to be carrying spots of white while also looking much yellower than her milk teeth. They look really dirty. Any idea what could be causing the white flecks?

Dentist here. Adult teeth are usually yellower than baby ones. The difference looks terrible at first, but it is normal. The white bits are likely to be one of three things.... 1. Plaque. If it is this is will brush away. 2. Fluorosis. Caused by excess fluoride while developing. There is no known lower limit of fluoride exposure beneath which this cannot occur. Even levels at or below the recommended ones can cause this. 3. Enamel defect of other cause, eg high fever and antibiotic use when new born. Both 2 and 3 are common, not a sign of weakness or disease. Treatment is possible, but like most cosmetic treatments better left till the child is requesting them and old enough to understand the consequences, and to cooperate with the treatment.

Thanks. I suspect number 2 but curious as to why that would only affect adult teeth and not milk teeth?

Because they form at a different time. Imagine dying your hair and then wondering why the roots are a different colour the dye wasn't there when the new hair was growing.

Aah!