Will Dental Bonding Help Fluorosis Stains on My 5th Grader’s Teeth?
My daughter just finished fourth grade. Now that it’s summer, I want to do something about the fluorosis stains on her teeth. Her bottom front teeth are pretty yellow, and her upper front teeth are blotchy. Her left front tooth has a jagged side. My daughter is wearing braces but is so self-conscious about her smile. The braces bring attention to her teeth, and the discoloration is noticeable. What are our options? Our pediatric dentist recommended waiting until my daughter is a teenager, but I don’t think that’s wise for her self-image. Will dental bonding help fluorosis stains on my 5th grader’s teeth?
Thanks. Daneen from TX
Daneen,
A cosmetic dentist can conceal fluorosis stains. However, the treatment recommendation varies depending on stain severity. Concealing fluorosis stains requires advanced training and technical and artistic ability. Most general and family dentists lack the training needed to produce natural-looking results.
What Causes Fluorosis Stains?
Factors that can cause fluorosis stains include community drinking water with too much fluoride, untreated well water, or consuming too many fluoride supplements. Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can also cause tooth stains.
How Are Fluorosis Stains Treated?
A cosmetic dentist treats fluorosis stains based on their severity.
Mild stains
Mild fluorosis creates white teeth stains. A skilled cosmetic dentist can apply dental composite to conceal the spots.
Extensive stains
Extensive stains require porcelain veneers. A skilled cosmetic dentist will design veneers that mimic natural tooth color, shade, and translucency.
Discoloration
Yellow teeth stains without blotches may not be fluorosis. However, a dentist can determine the cause of the stains. A cosmetic dentist may bleach the teeth before recommending dental bonding or porcelain veneers.
Orthodontic Treatment and Fluorosis Stains
A cosmetic dentist will recommend when and how to treat your daughter’s fluorosis stains while in orthodontic treatment. Schedule a consultation with a dentist who enjoys treating children and has advanced cosmetic dentistry training.
Rocky Hill, Connecticut, dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski sponsors this post. Read how he provides some of the best dental care in Rocky Hill.
Yellow Teeth Despite Good Hygiene
My daughter has an ongoing problem with yellow teeth and cavities despite our hygiene routine of brushing, flossing, and limiting her sugar intake. Our pediatric dentist put sealants on my daughter’s upper and lower molar teeth. Still, I think her plaque buildup is unusual because we limit her sugar intake to once every other weekend. I’m unsure if her yellow teeth are genetic because my husband was an only child, and his parents died when he was 2. My daughter is entering her pre-teens, and we are concerned about her self-image. I haven’t seen any improvement with dental cleanings at the pediatric dentist’s office either. I feel that her dentist thinks I am overreacting. I’m concerned. Are we overlooking something, or am I genuinely overacting? Jada from WV
Jada – Your concerns are valid. Dental plaque generally builds on teeth that are not flossed regularly. Plaque is colorless, but as it hardens, it forms tartar or calculus that is yellow or brown. If you have a good oral hygiene routine and regular dental cleanings for your daughter, her teeth may be darkening internally.
What Are the Causes of Yellow Teeth?
Causes of yellow teeth may be genetics, vitamins, medication, medical conditions, or what they eat or drink. However, foods and drinks generally cause external stains. If you have persistently yellow teeth despite daily flossing, brushing, and regular dental cleanings, potential causes include the following:
- Genetics – Some genetic conditions can cause the inner layer of the teeth, or dentin, to become yellow. Also, genetic disorders can cause tooth enamel to become thin or discolored.
- Vitamins and medication – Certain vitamins, supplements, or medicines can also cause staining.
- Medical conditions – Certain diseases, such as calcium deficiency, celiac disease, or liver disease, can affect tooth enamel and cause discoloration.
- Food and drink – Dark foods and beverages like coffee, tea, soda, and certain fruits can stain teeth.
We recommend you continue to ensure your daughter flosses between her teeth daily and brushes twice daily. Speak with your daughter’s pediatric dentist and ask for help detecting the cause of teeth stains or discoloring. You may also get a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist who enjoys treating children. If necessary, a dentist can work with a pediatrician to determine if there is a medical cause of the tooth discoloration.
Rocky Hill, Connecticut, cosmetic dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski sponsors this post.