How many of you have kids with a wide toothless gap in their smiles? It’s such a fun rite of passage for kids as they discover a loose tooth and wiggly wiggle it until it falls out. Taking bites can become a bit of a challenge again, particularly if they’ve lost more than one front tooth at a time. Apples, pizza, corn on the cob; all fun foods that they’ve mastered by this age and yet once again you’re likely having to cut things for them again.
Good news though, that once the teeth start falling out, that means the body is getting ready for the permanent teeth to erupt. So, what does it mean when your child’s adult teeth are coming in discolored or yellow?
They’re New – Why Aren’t They White?
The quick answer here is: biology. The fact is, permanent teeth simply aren’t the same color as the milk teeth. This is all about the wondrous complexity of our human bodies at work here, folks. The outer shell of the tooth, the enamel, directly covers what is called the dentin of the tooth. The color of dentin is a darker, somewhat yellowish color. When these brand new permanent teeth erupt, the enamel coating is somewhat transparent thereby allowing the darker color of the dentin to show through. Furthermore, permanent teeth have more dentin and nerve canals that are larger in comparison to their baby teeth.
The juxtaposition of pearly white baby teeth next to newly erupted permanent teeth may also enhance the yellowed appearance. As more milk teeth fall out, and more permanent teeth erupt, the uniformity of color in their smile will return. Additionally, over time the permanent teeth will calcify which will also lighten their color.
This is the number one reason for darker looking permanent teeth in kids for the overwhelming majority. There are however, a few other potential causes which we’ll review:
Exposure to certain antibiotics
Thin enamel
stains or buildup
Injury or trauma
Other Potential Causes for Yellow Permanent Teeth
Tetracycline Side Effect
Every time you see or hear an advertisement for a medicine there’s a spiel at the end warning of potential side effects. Well, you can add teeth discoloration as a potential side effect to some antibiotics, specifically tetracycline.
Tetracycline will actually bond to the teeth (yes, even teeth that have not yet erupted). When these tetracycline-bonded teeth erupt, the component will oxidize thereby discoloring the teeth a yellowish color that can further darken to brown.
The good news for you here, is that this side effect is widely recognized among doctors. It is uncommon for a doctor to prescribe a pregnant woman or young child these types of antibiotics for this very reason. If you are concerned, there is no harm in asking your doctor about the potential side effects of a prescribed antibiotic.
Thin or Weak Enamel
Enamel is the body builder, the body guard, the security team, the shield of the teeth. It is by its very nature, solid. In fact, enamel is stronger than bone, stronger than any other part of our bodies. As is the case with human genetics however, some of us inherit a trait for thinner (weaker) enamel. If your dentist has told you that your tooth enamel is a bit thin or weak, it’s possible you’ve passed that trait on to your child. Thinner enamel means the darker color of dentin will better show through.
Stains or Buildup
Yellow teeth can also be a result of poor dental hygiene. Poor dental hygiene means plaque and tartar buildup which is often yellow and sometimes even brown. Moreover, certain drinks and foods can stain teeth. Soda, coffee, dark tea, energy drinks, sports drinks, and even tomato sauces, soy sauces, raspberries and blueberries.
You don’t have to avoid those foods or drinks completely (although soda really is terrible for your kids’ teeth) however try to consume in moderation, or be sure to follow consumption with drinking water.
Injury or Trauma
A fall or a blow to the jaw doesn’t always mean a cracked or knocked out tooth. Sometimes the tooth can be damaged but remain. If the blood vessels within the tooth or the nerve break or are damaged it can cause tooth discoloration as well.
Dental injuries are unfortunately common, and we strongly urge that all kids utilize mouth guards for any sports. For more information about mouth guards, check out our in-depth post, “April Awareness for Facial Protection and Oral Cancer”.
How Do I Treat My Child’s Discolored Teeth?
If after reading this article, you remain concerned about your child’s teeth discoloration, give us a call to schedule an appointment. Tartar and plaque buildup need to be addressed by a thorough cleaning because they will lead to tooth decay. Furthermore, if you believe your child has thin or weak enamel because you know someone in your family has it, it’s important to let us know so that we can discuss risk, and a plan for preventative care.
As always, brushing for two minutes twice a day is the most important routine you can establish for your child’s dental health. Wearing a mouth guard for sports, even sports that aren’t considered contact sports, will help protect from dental trauma injuries. Whitening or bleaching products for children may be available in your local drugstore, but we are reluctant to encourage their use.
The truth is, your permanent teeth were likely yellow when they erupted as well, but look at your smile now! Keep up with the brushing routines and don’t forget to get your kids in for their biannual checkup and cleaning before the year runs out. We have appointment times available now and are always accepting new patients.
We write regularly about parent tips for encouraging dental hygiene, healthy eating habits, and our pediatric dental services, and yet the sheer breadth of information on the topic of children’s teeth can seem rather overwhelming. Our staff answers individual questions from parents (and kids!) regularly, and you might be surprised to know that many of the questions bouncing around in your head, are frequently asked by others as well. With this in mind, we’ve put together a master list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
When should I bring my child in for their first dental checkup?
We typically suggest you bring in your little one when their first tooth has erupted. This is generally between six to 12 months of age. If your baby is turning one year old and has yet to have their first tooth poke through, it’s time for a dental checkup, yes even without a tooth. For more in-depth information about this topic, check out our article.
How should I clean my baby’s teeth?
You can purchase a special infant toothbrush at most drugstores. The bristles should be soft and the head of the brush especially small to better fit their mouth. Brush twice a day, using a tiny amount of toothpaste (such as a grain of rice).
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a regular dentist?
Pediatric dentists complete two to three additional years of specialized training after dental school. This additional training focuses on the techniques and tools specifically designed for children’s comfort as well as training to encounter, understand, and address the developmental and emotional needs for infants to adolescents, including children with special needs. For more information, read this article.
Are pacifiers bad for my baby’s teeth?
Pacifiers and thumb sucking are natural soothing habits for babies and toddlers. They can become harmful if they persist beyond three years of age. Chat with your pediatric dentist if you have concerns.
How often should my kid visit the dentist?
Everyone, adults included, should have two dental checkups per year. Most insurances have transitioned to including coverage for two per year, as companies analyze the cost benefits of preventative care. Be sure you’re maximizing your dental insurance benefits before the year is out, for more information about this, read our in-depth article.
How do I prevent tooth decay from nursing or bottle rot?
Research shows that breast milk while containing sugar, does not cause tooth decay, however once your baby begins eating foods the potential for tooth decay will arise. Bottle rot is a common term that refers to tooth decay that is caused due to improper bottle feeding habits. Keep your baby’s access to their bottle limited, and never put juice in it. Even before your baby erupts their first tooth, you should gently wash their gums with a clean washcloth and water to scrub away any lingering bacteria. For more detailed information about how to avoid bottle rot, read our article, here.
Should my child get dental sealants?
Dental sealants are a preventative measure dentists use that we strongly recommend. The crevices and ridges in teeth, particularly the back molars are favorite spots for bacteria and food stuffs to linger. Additionally, those back teeth are more difficult for children to reach when they brush. The dental sealants literally seal a protective coat to the crevices of the teeth protecting them from tooth decay and making them less deep, and therefore easier to brush clean. For more information about dental sealants, read here.
Does my child need fluoride treatments?
Is your primary source of water treated with fluoride? Or do you typically drink store-bought bottled water? Most city and town water sources have been treated with fluoride, it’s in fact considered one of the greatest public health accomplishments in the last century. Check to be sure your toothpaste has fluoride. When your child comes in for a dental visit we can discuss whether your child is a good candidate for a fluoride treatment, or supplement. We know that some families find the topic of fluoride controversial, so if you have concerns please bring them to us so that we can discuss. You can also read more about fluoride treatments, here.
What do I do if my child chips a tooth or one is knocked out?
Retrieve the tooth (or piece of it), but avoid touching the root. Place the tooth in a sealed container with milk, and call your pediatric dentist for an emergency dental appointment right away. For more detailed guidance if you find yourself in this circumstance, we’ve written up several scenarios and step by step instructions for how to respond. You can find them, here.
Many of these instances occur due to injuries from sports activities. We strongly urge parents to invest in mouth guards for their children. Mouth guards are required for contact sports such as football, but research shows they are necessary for all sports activities. For more information about mouth guards, check out this article.
What do I do when my child has a toothache?
If your child complains of a toothache, it is likely to be a symptom of tooth decay. Have them rinse their mouth out with some room temperature salt water. You can give them an appropriate dosage of child’s acetaminophen to help with the pain, and an icepack for their cheek if the area is also swollen. You’ll also need to schedule a visit with your pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
Why does a cavity in a baby tooth need to be filled?
A cavity in a baby tooth needs to be treated not only to ease your child’s pain, but also because the decay in one tooth can spread into others when left untreated. We prefer not to pull a tooth in such a circumstance because our body’s natural inclination is for the baby tooth to fall out when it’s ready. Until then, the baby teeth serve to preserve the space for the permanent tooth, and help with chewing and proper speech.
Are dental X-rays safe?
As previously mentioned, pediatric dentists are specially trained to work with kids. We take special care to limit exposure, lead protective aprons are used as is high-speed film. X-rays are important for pediatric dentists to properly assess dental issues so that nothing is overlooked that could become a bigger problem later on.
Schedule Your Child’s Dental Appointment Today
Before you get caught up in the swing of the holidays, be sure to get your child’s second annual dental checkup and cleaning scheduled! Our offices in South Davis, Herriman, and Redwood are at your service. Give us a call today.
Moms and dads, holiday season is under way with the familiar scents and events as we pull out those gorgeous leafy decorations, pumpkins (pumpkin everything, really) costumes, and favorite movies, in addition to tissue boxes for sniffling noses and chapstick. Before you know it, Thanksgiving will arrive, and then it’s a frantic busy slide right into Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It’s a fun time of year full of family gatherings and events, yet it also means that your insurance benefits are coming close to a lapse.
Most insurance plans include coverage for dental services for all members of the family in question. You are paying those monthly premiums, however have you checked to see if you’re maximizing the dental insurance benefits in your plan? Some things to consider:
Has each child in your family had dental X-rays taken this year?
Has each child in your family had 2 dental cleanings this year?
Has one of your children complained about dental pain but you’ve forgotten about it in the everyday bustle of life?
Questions to Ask Your Dental Insurance Provider
What is my copay?
What is my maximum coverage amount per person in the family?
Does my coverage include basic preventative care?
Are X-rays covered?
If yes, under what circumstances and/or with what frequency?
Are dental cleanings covered?
If yes, how many per year?
Are fluoride treatments covered?
If yes, are their age restrictions for fluoride treatments?
What is my coverage for basic restorative care?
Is basic restorative care covered up to a certain amount or is a percentage of it covered?
What is considered basic restorative care in my plan?
Is in-office sedation covered in my plan?
General Information About Dental Insurance
Basic preventative care typically covers two dental cleanings per year, some plans include a fluoride treatment at the cleaning appointment under the coverage, while others do not. Other insurance plans only cover fluoride treatments for certain ages.
Annual X-rays may be covered by your insurance, while yet other plans only cover them when deemed necessary by the dentist. Such circumstances when X-rays would be necessary would be in preparation for restorative work.
Some plans may cover mouth guards for children under preventative care but not all. Which is unfortunate due to the fact that we know dental injuries are common and preventable with the use of mouth guards when engaging in any type of sport activity!
Basic restorative care typically includes fillings, dental emergencies such as chipped or knocked loose teeth, as well as crowns or root canals. It’s important to ask your insurance questions about basic restorative care, due to the fact that while fillings are almost always covered, they might have restrictions on said coverage. For example, most people prefer composite fillings on the grounds that the composite material blends in with the color of the tooth so as to not be obvious. Some dental plans may only cover amalgam fillings, which are structurally sound but have the disadvantage of being metal in appearance and therefore not very discreet.
Partial Coverage for Restorative Dental Work
Don’t be surprised if you learn that your plan will only fully cover some basic preventative care services. It’s pretty common for restorative care to be partially covered. Partial coverage can mean that they’ll cover up to a certain amount in a year period for each member of your family (or in some cases a certain amount per family) while with other insurance providers, partial coverage means the insurance company will cover a percentage of restorative care services.
Furthermore, some insurances cover partial until a threshold is reached. Upon reaching that threshold, you may be entitled to full coverage again. Accordingly, if this is your circumstance, it’s important to find out how close to that threshold you are.
In-Office Sedation Services and Dental Coverage
When you are checking the details of your dental coverage with your insurance provider, it’s a good idea to ask for details about sedation. Our offices provide three different sedation options:
Oral Sedation – prescription sedatives for the night prior or the day of a procedure or visit, we may suggest and also implement if your child suffers dental anxiety or has developmental delays that may cause difficulties for dental procedures.
Nitrous Oxide – also referred to as “laughing gas” is most often utilized in conjunction with a local numbing agent for restorative dental procedures.
Intravenous Sedation – unlike general anesthesia utilized in hospitals by surgeons, our intravenous sedation technique does not inhibit the protective reflexes, which mainly means our patients under intravenous sedation can breathe on their own.
Any time we consider in-office sedation, we first review the options, the benefits, including the circumstances with the parents. If there is a concern for cost and/or insurance coverage, we will work with you and together we’ll find a solution.
Utah Pediatric Dentists Accepts Most Insurance
We work with most insurance companies, if you don’t find your provider on this list, give us a call to double check that your provider isn’t a new addition.
Aetna
Assurant/Sun Life Financial
Ameritas
Allegiance
Anthem BCBS
Regence BCBS
BCBS Federal
Blue Cross of Illinois (Blue Care)
Blue Cross of Michigan (Blue Dental)
Carrington
Cigna
Dental Select
DMBA
Dentist Direct/Direct Care Administrators
Dentamax
Delta Dental
EMI
GEHA – Connection Dental Network
Guardian
Humana – Connection Dental Network
Life Map
Lincoln Financial Group/Lincoln Dental Connect
Metlife
Traditional Medicaid
Medicaid Premier Access
Premier Access PPO
Premier Access Chip
PEHP
Principle – EMI Network
Standard Life Insurance/Reliance Standard
Select Health
Utah Sheet Metal/JAS/Southwest Service Administrators
United Concordia PPO
United Concordia Tricare/Active Duty
United Healthcare – GEHA/Connection Dental Network
Book an Appointment Right Away
Don’t wait for your dental benefits to expire! Some dental services require impressions that must be sent to a lab for production which means a time lag of at least a week. Schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist before the holiday season speeds up.
Disneyland Giveaway
We’re hosting a Disneyland Giveaway for one family this November, enter to win and that lucky family can be yours! We’ve established 12 different methods for you to enter the sweepstakes, moreover there’s no limit to your total number of entries. On November 15th, we’ll draw the name of one lucky family. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was your name? For more information on how to enter, click here.
It’s officially fall, and that means the beginning of a string of happy holidays to look forward to, first among them, Halloween. Are you already decorating your house in pumpkins, spider webs, and spooky specters? It’s no doubt your kids are excitedly deciding on their costumes for their exciting night of trick-or-treating. Moreover, the time-honored tradition of pumpkin buckets full of candy is already filling their heads with anticipation. But what about their teeth?
It’s no secret that those tricks and treats are an assault on teeth, but how do we reconcile fun, tradition, and dental health all in the same bucket? We’ve put together a list of dental tips for you to help you survive Halloween with a balance that will include some healthy treats alongside the chocolates. You won’t have to say “no” to everything.
Toothy Tips for Your Child’s Dental Health This Halloween
1. Space Out the Stock Pile
Put limits on how many Halloween sweets your kids can eat at once. It’s not unusual for kids to want to binge on their goodies when they come home, but it’s certainly bad for their teeth. Space it out, allowing one or two treats per day instead.
2. Sort Through the Stock Pile
While it’s true that any candy or sweet is bad for your teeth, not all are created equal. Sort through their stash, and pull out hard candies that take a long time to dissolve. These candies are particularly harmful to the enamel on teeth due to the longer period of time they take to dissolve. The drawn-out process allows the sugars more time to compromise the tooth’s enamel before being washed away. Additionally, after an extended period of time sucking on a hard candy, we chew them up. These hard candies tend to stick firmly in the crevices of our teeth and are difficult to dislodge. Similarly, sticky candies such as taffy, gummy bears, gummy wears, and gumdrops present the issue of sticking to the teeth.
3. Donate Excess Candy
This is actually becoming a more popular solution for parents everywhere. It seems wasteful to simply throw away all the candy that has been deemed too sticky or too hard, and there are programs established to donate unopened and unwanted sweets! Isn’t American ingenuity wonderful? Call your local nursing home, homeless shelter, or food pantry to see if they will accept these donations. If these options aren’t accepting candy donations, hold off before you toss them into the trash! Here’s a rundown of some national programs that will take your candies off your hands without a doubt:
Treats for Troops by Soldiers’ Angels – Fill out their donation form and mail your candy to the collection address found on their official website’s search function.
Operation Gratitude – Register on their website where you will be paired with a local military unit, veteran group, first responders, or asked to ship to a collection center. This group also accepts monetary donations to aid with the cost of shipping the candy care packages to trips.
Operation Shoebox – Operation Shoebox sends care packages all year long, regardless of the season, and are always accepting donations. Donations can be sent directly to their receiving address in Florida.
Ronald McDonald House Charities – Ronald McDonald helps take care of families who have children in the hospital. Imagine how delighted children would be who can’t go out trick-or-treating to receive a Halloween treat? Check their website to find a chapter near you to organize your donation.
Halloween Candy Buy Back – Nationwide businesses are organizing buy-back events, check the website to search for a business doing a buy-back event near you!
4. Timing
We’ve talked before about the superpowers of our saliva in washing away sugars and acids that eat on the enamel of our teeth. The fact is, our saliva production increases during mealtime therefore, if your kids are going to eat chocolates or candies, they had best do it right after a meal so there’s plenty of saliva to start working. Avoid allowing the candy as a snack when saliva production is lower, healthy snacks such as crispy fruits or veggies are best between meals.
5. Water with fluoride
Fluoridated water is another steadfast soldier in the protection of our teeth. Make compromises with your kids that if they’re going to have a candy, they’ll avoid juices or sodas and stick with water to quench their thirst afterward (sugar makes us thirsty). If you’re opposed to drinking water from the tap, this link will take you to a list of brands that produce bottled water with fluoride.
6. Set an Example
Consider you’re not the only parent concerned about the massive quantities of candy your kids are receiving every Halloween. Why not, instead of handing out candies at your doorstep, seek to set an example and hand out something healthier or creative for Halloween? Here are a few ideas:
With a black marker, draw a jack-o-lantern face on little tangerines to hand out.
Hand out ADA-approved sugarless gum.
Hand out granola bars.
Hand out mini boxes of raisins.
Hand out mini packets of trail mix or peanuts.
Hand out little applesauce snack cups.
Some of these healthy Halloween snacks cost more than others, and certainly none of them are likely as cheap as buying a bag of small chocolates. Nevertheless, you aren’t required to have your porch light on all night. Buy what you budget for, and turn out your light when supplies are gone. There’ll likely be more than one parent out there relieved to see something in their kids’ pumpkin bucket that they can consider healthy.
7. Brush Teeth
If you’ve been lax on the routine of brushing and flossing at home, it’s time to turn back to it! Throughout the month of October, chocolates and candies are available in abundance, not only on the night of the 31st. Hop on the dental hygiene habit wagon, and stick to it this month, no matter how late you stay out trick-or-treating on Halloween.
As always, we’re here for you, so if your kids are due for a checkup, or a cleaning we’ll have them in the dentist’s chair quick. Give us a call and come see us before they have a toothache.
Summer has come to a close, which means kids are going back to school! This event brings about a myriad of changes to our routines, including our healthy dental habits and our food habits. Food plays a large role in our dental hygiene. Not only does it necessitate that we apply ourselves diligently to basic dental hygiene routines such as brushing and flossing; it requires that we pay close attention to the foods we are providing and consuming. Healthy eating is an underestimated benefit to our teeth. So today, we’re reviewing some healthy tips and strategies for the back-to-school season complete with explanations of exactly how they will benefit you and your kids.
Healthy Dental Tips for Back to School
Healthy school lunches are imperative. Experts generally agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You are, after all, breaking your fast to jump-start your body from the sleeping state to the active state. Nevertheless, lunch is similarly important, especially for our kids, due to the fact that their morning has been full of both physical and mental exercise, and they need to replenish their bodies to handle the rest of the school day. Efforts have been made in numerous school districts to provide healthier cafeteria meals. If your kids will actually eat the cafeteria meals, then be sure to review the cafeteria lunch menu. What to look for:
Are fruits and vegetables part of the lunches?
Is there a dairy component?
Is there a protein component that isn’t deep-fried?
Talk to your kids about the cafeteria menu. Review with them the night before or in the morning at breakfast about what they can expect on their tray at school. Encourage them to eat the vegetables and fruits.
If your kids refuse to eat cafeteria food, or if you’re unsatisfied with the menu, then the responsibility for healthy school lunches falls to you (or your independent and helpful teenager). Packing lunches may seem overwhelming, as in most homes the morning crush to wrangle everyone out the door doesn’t have time for more tasks. However, with planning, packing lunches the night before can be an undertaking that involves your children which can help them develop healthy eating habits.
Healthy Lunches Should Include the Following Foods
Crunchy fruits – Fruits provide our bodies with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants therefore, we definitely want a fruit component present. Specifically, for the purposes of dental health, endeavor to include crunchy fruits. Apples and pears are our favorites due to the sweetness that kids typically enjoy, and the fact that they don’t stick to the teeth like other softer or chewier fruits due to their crispiness.
Crunchy vegetables – A crunchy trait applies when you’re considering which vegetables to include as well. Carrots and celery have high quantities of vitamin A which aids in maintaining the enamel on our teeth, while spinach, kale, and broccoli are flush with folic acid which is essential for healthy gums. Crunchy vegetables (and fruits) will also help clear the crevices of the molars of food residue.
Cheese and yogurt – These two dairy characters contain calcium, casein, and phosphorous which will help protect and strengthen tooth enamel. Aim for low-fat cheeses and be mindful of the amount of sugar added to the yogurt you buy. This is especially worth checking if you typically buy low-fat yogurt. Often manufacturers add more sugar to their low-fat products in an attempt to compensate for the lighter flavor. Yoplait Go-Gurt, Yoplait Light, Dannon Light & Fit, and Stonyfield Yo-Kids are all name brands that feature 10g of sugar or less.
Eggs – Hard-boiled eggs are a staple in my kids’ lunch packs. They provide protein, calcium, and vitamin D. The latter works wonderfully to help the body absorb all the calcium you are consuming.
Nuts – Cashews, almonds, and peanuts are packed with protein but you might not know that they also contain calcium and phosphorous. In addition to the well-known benefits of calcium, phosphorous works to replenish enamel minerals that are stripped away by the acids found in other foods or drinks.
Change It Up a Bit
Swap out the white bread. If you typically include a sandwich, switch it up a bit! Make a wrap with a whole-wheat tortilla, or a sandwich pocket with whole wheat pita bread.
Instead of giving up on the idea of a large wrap for younger kids, simply cut them down into easy-to-eat pinwheels.
Instead of spreading mayonnaise on the sandwich, lightly spread some plain or Greek yogurt.
Introduce your kids to humus. Instead of pairing crunchy vegetables with a ranch dip, bring them onto the hummus wagon. Humus adds protein and fiber to your diet.
Switch out spaghetti sauce to a pesto. Pesto sauce often contains pine nuts or walnuts, and can be eaten hot but is also delicious cold.
Swap out the pasta noodles for a whole-wheat or quinoa pasta.
Involve Your Kids
Studies show that involving your kids in meal planning and food preparation has a positive influence on their eating behaviors. Your older teens can have their own fun with making interesting meals to take to school for lunch, they might even surprise you with the ideas they find on their own. Younger kids can become excited about their meals by being a part of the packing and planning. Just think how much more likely are they to eat all of their lunch when they’ve been anticipating it all morning?
Don’t Forget to Brush!
School mornings can be a challenge, we know that. Nevertheless, remember to brush! Ensure your kids (and you!) take the 2 minutes for a thorough brushing in before you run out the door. Encourage your older kids to pack a travel toothbrush and toothpaste to brush their teeth at school after lunch. Healthy and happy smiles happen with healthy dental habits at home!
Come and See Us
When was the last time your kids had a dental cleaning? If you couldn’t come in during the busy summer months, please find time now. Prevention is an integral part of your kids’ overall dental health and routine checkups and cleanings help us catch potential issues before they grow to urgent, and therefore painful, concerns.
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