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Yellow teeth

18 replies

NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 21:35

When my DS's teeth first came through they were perfect and white. When he got to 2.5 years old I noticed his back teeth were brown and pitted. He also had a pale yellow mark on one of his front canines. When the dentist saw his back teeth she said it was enamel hypoplasia. He is now 4 and in the last week I've noticed that his other teeth, which had still been white until recently, are now going yellow along the gum line and where the teeth touch. The pale yellow mark on his canine is much darker now as well. I feel absolutely devastated that his teeth are deteriorating so quickly and suddenly.

I brush his teeth twice a day. He only drinks water, and occasionally milk. He has sweets once a week but we try to avoid sugary foods the rest of the time. He hates vegetables but loves fruit, so I feel it's difficult to cut the fruit down when he won't eat much in the way of veg.

I'm so worried about his teeth deteriorating even more, considering how yellow they've turned so quickly. I'm worried that he'll have to have teeth pulled out and spend much of his childhood with huge gaps in his mouth or teeth crumbling away. And I'm worrying that this issue is going to continue once his adult teeth come through. I don't even know what advice I want or need, I'm just so upset that his perfect teeth are now looking increasingly dreadful.

Sorry about the poor photo- he refuses to stay still for photos and I had to try and take it once he was asleep.

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NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 21:45

This photo was taken at the end of august this year. The quality of the photo isn't great but you can see that the area around the gums is much whiter than the first photo I posted.

Yellow teeth
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youvegottenminuteslynn · 07/12/2021 21:51

Such a cute little smile!!

This looks (to a layperson like me) like plaque more than the tooth changing colour as such?

Hopefully a dentist or dental nurse will be along soon to offer some proper advice but in the meantime I wanted to say what a lovely little grin he has!

NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 22:02

@youvegottenminuteslynn

Such a cute little smile!!

This looks (to a layperson like me) like plaque more than the tooth changing colour as such?

Hopefully a dentist or dental nurse will be along soon to offer some proper advice but in the meantime I wanted to say what a lovely little grin he has!

Haha yes he does have a very cute smile! His face is all mouth and teeth tbh!

Thank you! I'm hoping you're right and it's not indicative of more damage from the enamel hypoplasia.

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Flackattack · 07/12/2021 22:06

My dentist recommended disclosing tablets to ensure they are being cleaned properly nearest the gum line - not just the middle line (bottom of top ones and top of bottom ones) which also appeared whiter.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 07/12/2021 22:08

@Flackattack

My dentist recommended disclosing tablets to ensure they are being cleaned properly nearest the gum line - not just the middle line (bottom of top ones and top of bottom ones) which also appeared whiter.
I remember these at school! And although being made to do them in front of the class was a HORRIBLE idea looking back, doing them at home to check the state of play is a really valuable exercise definitely.
dementedpixie · 07/12/2021 22:11

Did he get offered fluoride varnish or a different strength toothpaste to help protect his teeth?

NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 22:14

@Flackattack

My dentist recommended disclosing tablets to ensure they are being cleaned properly nearest the gum line - not just the middle line (bottom of top ones and top of bottom ones) which also appeared whiter.
Good call! Both dc would enjoy those tablets! Will order some.
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Yellow85 · 07/12/2021 22:15

My Ds has enamel hypo plasma on his back molars. Dentist explained to me that it’s likely he had an infection or fever at the time the teeth were forming and they didn’t develop the proper layers of enamel. I only noticed a sort of brown colour to them. They’ve never caused him any problem until now - he doesn’t have the hard enamel layer so the soft tooth has been breaking down. He’s now had some fillings to strengthen them.

We were also told his front adult teeth develop at the same time so they may affected too. He’s just lost his front baby teeth so waiting with baited breath to see what we are dealing with. No issue near the gums though…we were warned it’s most likely to present as discoloured flecks on the teeth.

Did your dentist advise as to any treatment?

NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 22:16

@dementedpixie

Did he get offered fluoride varnish or a different strength toothpaste to help protect his teeth?
No...just told to keep on top of brushing and hope for the best.
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dementedpixie · 07/12/2021 22:20

Are you using toothpaste with 1450ppm fluoride?
My ds has dodgy enamel on his molars and at one point used toothpaste with higher fluoride than above. Now its just monitored (he's 15)

sequin2000 · 07/12/2021 22:21

My children also have this condition. It has no known cause but theories include an infection when the teeth are developing. My daughter had her affected back molars removed as the teeth will be weak and likely not to last so it was thought better to allow the other teeth to grow in to fill the gaps. My son has the condition on most teeth and also a mild case of the genetic condition AI. My dentist said there was nothing they could do until cosmetic dentistry in adulthood but I pushed for a referral and Manchester dental hospital have been brilliant and offered some treatments. He also has regular flouride paste and good dental hygiene is important but the teeth are not dirty (although they look as if they are as the enamel is thin and dentine is yellow). Wait till the adult teeth grow in as they may not be as badly affected and if they are ask for a referral.

NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 22:21

@Yellow85

My Ds has enamel hypo plasma on his back molars. Dentist explained to me that it’s likely he had an infection or fever at the time the teeth were forming and they didn’t develop the proper layers of enamel. I only noticed a sort of brown colour to them. They’ve never caused him any problem until now - he doesn’t have the hard enamel layer so the soft tooth has been breaking down. He’s now had some fillings to strengthen them.

We were also told his front adult teeth develop at the same time so they may affected too. He’s just lost his front baby teeth so waiting with baited breath to see what we are dealing with. No issue near the gums though…we were warned it’s most likely to present as discoloured flecks on the teeth.

Did your dentist advise as to any treatment?

Oh that's interesting. I assumed all the yellow that's suddenly appeared was related to the enamel issue but it sounds like perhaps not. The dentist didn't offer him any treatment or give me any advice other than make sure I keep brushing his teeth and let's hope for the best. What advice would they normally give? What treatments are available for young children?
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NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 22:25

@dementedpixie

Are you using toothpaste with 1450ppm fluoride? My ds has dodgy enamel on his molars and at one point used toothpaste with higher fluoride than above. Now its just monitored (he's 15)
Yes it's 1450 fluoride.
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NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 22:32

@sequin2000

My children also have this condition. It has no known cause but theories include an infection when the teeth are developing. My daughter had her affected back molars removed as the teeth will be weak and likely not to last so it was thought better to allow the other teeth to grow in to fill the gaps. My son has the condition on most teeth and also a mild case of the genetic condition AI. My dentist said there was nothing they could do until cosmetic dentistry in adulthood but I pushed for a referral and Manchester dental hospital have been brilliant and offered some treatments. He also has regular flouride paste and good dental hygiene is important but the teeth are not dirty (although they look as if they are as the enamel is thin and dentine is yellow). Wait till the adult teeth grow in as they may not be as badly affected and if they are ask for a referral.
Thank you for your words and advice! I'm feeling a bit more positive about the enamel hypoplasia now but obviously I'm going to need to keep on top of it and the dentist.
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Yellow85 · 07/12/2021 22:33

@NoodlesPoodles this was the first time our dentist had seen my son for almost 2 years due to covid so the only time I had pointed it out. The told me what it was, what might happen with the front teeth, how bad it could be etc. They also checked his teeth and gums for sensitivity or pain. We left with the understanding that it would likely start to cause pain and to go straight back when it did. We got about six months before that happened.

So I think they tend to leave it until it becomes problematic. Tbh I’m more worried about his front teeth. Dentist has said if they are flecked or damaged they would refer him to dental hospital where they would do a kind of diluted acid wash in the teeth to start with - apparently works well. But it’s it was really severe they would be looking at alternatives - I assumed crowns.

She was very clear that this was not related in anyway to his diet ir his oral hygiene at all. It’s just unfortunate.

NoodlesPoodles · 07/12/2021 22:48

[quote Yellow85]@NoodlesPoodles this was the first time our dentist had seen my son for almost 2 years due to covid so the only time I had pointed it out. The told me what it was, what might happen with the front teeth, how bad it could be etc. They also checked his teeth and gums for sensitivity or pain. We left with the understanding that it would likely start to cause pain and to go straight back when it did. We got about six months before that happened.

So I think they tend to leave it until it becomes problematic. Tbh I’m more worried about his front teeth. Dentist has said if they are flecked or damaged they would refer him to dental hospital where they would do a kind of diluted acid wash in the teeth to start with - apparently works well. But it’s it was really severe they would be looking at alternatives - I assumed crowns.

She was very clear that this was not related in anyway to his diet ir his oral hygiene at all. It’s just unfortunate.[/quote]
I had also noticed it right at the start of the first lockdown and obviously couldn't take him to see a dentist for a long time. I was horrified when I first clocked the brown pitted molars and burst into tears when I saw it thinking I'd failed him, but the dentist said the same as what you're saying. She said it could have been something that happened whilst he was in utero (like me getting an infection for example) or something that happened after he was born but it was just an unfortunate thing that couldn't be helped. My dd has perfect teeth so far and I've never had any fillings or problems with my teeth so it makes me feel really sad that ds is potentially going to have long term issues with his through no fault of his own. But this is where we are so I'm going to have to get over it!

I've got my fingers crossed for your dc's new front teeth!

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Mittenmob · 07/12/2021 22:54

It looks like enamel hypoplasia. There are some good Facebook groups to join that talk about pain management. Warning, a lot of anti fluoride on them though. Basically ask for a referral to a dental hospital..use fluoride, mi paste ('tooth mousse' if ok with dairy), clean well, never brush too close to a meal, wait 30 mins, try to limit snacks, keep sweet things to a minimum and eat with meals, no fruit juices.

Mittenmob · 07/12/2021 22:55

Sorry I didn't mean pain management! Just management. They can get painful but my dds never have with what I do.

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