Teeth Turning Gray

Updated on November 18, 2011
S.S. asks from Virginia Beach, VA
10 answers

Hello, I'm desperate to find out if anyone has experience with toddler's teeth turning gray. My 17 month old son has 8 teeth. I noticed about 2 months ago that they all have a grayish color, mainly the back of his teeth, and the lower part is worse. The discoloration seems to get better sometimes, but keeps coming back, and it never goes away completely. The doctor thinks there's not enough calcium in his diet, so I've been paying extra attention to giving him plenty of milk, cheese, and yoghurt. We also saw a ped.dentist, who didn't seem concerned at all. He said the teeth were fine, he could easily polish them, but thought my son was too young/scared for that. He instructed me to stop giving him juice. I've been brushing his teeth twice a day (we switched from a fingertip toothbrush and infant tootpaste to a toddler toothbrush and toothpaste after I had noticed the issue at 15 months), have not been giving him juice or sweets, etc. Still, his teeth look worse and worse. He's never taken iron supplements. He had to take antibiotics once, at 12 months, for a week, but the issue started 3 months later. He likes oatmeal, and yoghurt (which contain sugar), broccoli and tomatoes (which are rich in iron and vit C). I wonder if any of these foods could be causing the gray color?

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So What Happened?

I'd like to thank every one for their response! You have been very helpful. I've been going crazy trying to figure out what's causing the stains. I've done some more research. My son was prescribed Keflex, which is supposed to be safe for babies. We were also encouraged by our doc at 9 months to give him tomatoes, and he LOVES them! He eats tomatoes like it's candy. I've found several articles mentioning tomato sauce as a problem food when it comes to teeth in general. I've also found some articles that claim a tiny amount of kid's tootpaste WITH fluoride is desired as early as age 1. The new standard says in "minute amounts" it is safe even if swallowed. So this brings up another dilemma: should we or shouldn't we use fluoride toothpaste 1-2 times a week? Eighter way, I think I'll try cutting back on tomatoes for now. And the headache continues...but I think I'm getting closer to solving the issue.

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M.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Likely could be caused by antibiotics, especially if in the Tetracycline family. Go to drugs.com and look up Tetracycline. The very first warning, not to be given to children under the age of 8 because of the TEETH discoloration. Also not to be used in last half of pregnancy for same reason. Too bad, when you see adults with gray teeth, it was often caused by Tetracycline used when they were children, very often used when couldn't use Penicillin drugs..

4 moms found this helpful

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J.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

I once heard of certain brands of toothpaste and/or mouthwash causing this problem. Look up your son's tooth products on-line and see if there is any negative feedback. Just a thought.

1 mom found this helpful

K.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I have no scientific explanation for it except that my Michaela had some grayish stuff in her teeth as well and she still has them. Her dentist said that her milk teeth will eventually grow into permanent teeth and these grayish thingy will be gone. her lower incisor is with the tooth fairy now and i see a new tooth growing, no more gray!

I did use orthodontic pacifiers when she was a baby. I asked if that was the problem. wrong - when micha gets older, dentist said, the ortho pacifiers will work its magic.

my guess - antibiotics too! michaela was premature and had to be in medication for the first few weeks...

p.s. the ortho pac was a gift bought in personalizedpacifiers. love it

1 mom found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Dover on

Make sure you are using a NON flouride toothpaste. Flouride at a young age can turn teeth gray.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

My 18 month old has this same problem! I have been told it's from the liquid vitamins that we give her, they literally stain the teeth! We are now looking into a gummy vitamin instead.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Kansas City on

why not call a pediatric dentist and inquire? I'm sure they would love to help you with your questions, and maybe they can offer some good advice.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.E.

answers from New York on

It's not fluorosis, is it? I would assume the dentist would have accounted for that?

1 mom found this helpful

D.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi, SZilvia:
Has he been on Tetracycline?

If he has, that will cause the teeth
to become discolored.
D.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Could be from vitamins or foods. Try some baking soda. He won't like the taste but it should remove the stain. Some kids and adults get staining more readily than others. Be vigilant with brushing as plaque stains. He may need professional cleaning more often as he may have the type of saliva to build more tartar and yes, even little ones can build tartar.

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G.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

it was the antibiotics!

1 mom found this helpful
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