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Original poster

antibiotics stain milk teeth?!

14 replies

katierocket · 07/01/2004 15:01

Following on from teeth cleaning thread were I was asking for advice as to why DS (2 yrs) teeth seemed to be stained (very light brown colour, looks a bit like coffee stained teeth on adult).

We've cleaned religiously since first tooth, twice a day, doesn't have juice in bottle, et etc

anyway, spoke to receptionist at dentist yesterday, making appt to take him in and she asked if he'd been on course of antibiotics recently (which he has) and she said that was probably what had done it. That it was irreversable but "would hopefully not effect the adult teeth".
Now a) am I really naive? Did anyone else know this was a possibility with antibiotics?
b) It's not really bad and you can't tell unless you really look but I can't believe doc didn't warn me of this side effect esp as it appears to be permanant (certainly on his milk teeth).

OP posts:
Bumblelion · 07/01/2004 15:07

When I was pregnant with my first, they wanted to treat me with an antibiotic called a tetracycline but they did tell me that as I was pregnant it could cause discolouration in my unborn baby's milk teeth. She was fine and is now 11 and has wonderful second teeth (although her milk teeth were rather weak, but this might have been more to do with drinking lots of juice when young).

prettycandles · 07/01/2004 15:20

My brother has yellowish teeth, caused by taking a lot of antibiotics when he was young. I think they were tetracyclins, but I'm not at all sure.

Original poster
katierocket · 07/01/2004 15:45

I was just really peed off that the Dr didn't even indicate that this was a side effect.

OP posts:
robinw · 07/01/2004 15:57

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Tinker · 07/01/2004 15:59

My friend's daughter's teeth are awful, just crumbling away and she always seems to be 'on antibiotics'.

Original poster
katierocket · 07/01/2004 15:59

BLACK??!! god, I can't believe I wasn't told it might be a side effect.

OP posts:
pie · 07/01/2004 16:01

My lower permanent teeth are stained from antibiotics I had as a baby...I've been told I can have the polished and capped, but have never been able to afford it.

I know my mum was never told about possible side effects at the time.

Kayleigh · 07/01/2004 16:02

I have tetracycline "stripes" on my teeth and they are (obviously) my grown up teeth. This was due to lots of antibiotics as a small child.
I had my front teeth enameled over when i was about 12 or 13 as i was very aware of the discolouration. This has only recently worn off and am desparate to have it done again but can't justify the cost at the moment. If i win the lottery i will definitely have a hollywood set of teeth sorted.

Don't supposed that puts your mind at ease at all. Sorry.

jasper · 07/01/2004 23:42

Katierocket, the receptionist's comments are bollocks. Please stop worrying .
The only antibiotics which can cause staining of teeth is tetracycline.However this causes intrinsic (ie deep inside ) staining of any teeth which are DEVELOPING at the time of the antibiotic being taken, which is why tetracycline should not be taken in pregnancy, or by children.

Let me get this right. Your ds had fully erupted white teeth which now look brownish? Not even tetracycline stains teeth already in the mouth which were previously white!

jasper · 07/01/2004 23:47

The other source of confusion about antibiotics and brown marks on teeth is that some childhood illnesses can cause a blip in tooth development which may show as a brown line or ridge , often round the neck of the adult tooth. Lots of people have this without being aware of it. You would only notice it if it was on a front tooth.

Coincidentally these childhood illnesses might have required antibiotics, but it is the metabolic upset of the illness, not the antibiotics which might cause blemishes in the teeth.
And of course medicines containing sugar can contribute to plain old rot.

Joyous · 07/01/2004 23:51

My sister was very ill when she was young and was in hospital on a drip. She has very mottled teeth and according to my father who is a dentist, the antibiotics could have been a contributing factor to this.

robinw · 08/01/2004 07:08

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Original poster
katierocket · 08/01/2004 07:37

thanks jasper - I did think it was odd.
In answer to your question, YES, he has most of his teeth through which were all white and are now very slightly stained.
thanks robinw and don't worry you didn't upset me I just really want to know what it is.
well I have an appt in 2 weeks so hopefully more will become clear then.

OP posts:
jimjam14 · 30/04/2015 11:38

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