teeth staining?

Both of my boys have teeth staining right at their gum lines. It's a grayish color and the it comes and goes. We are in a toothbrush routine, but it's hard to get the staining to go away. I spoke to the dentist about this and he said it's not a problem, some children are prone to have staining. He told me we would watch it and just keep an eye on it for right now.

Anyone else have this problem?

 

I work as a dental assistant but don't see a lot of children. Lot of adults come in with different staining though. Did the dentist as about your children's diet at all? Lots of berries in their diets?? Sometimes foods can cause different types of staining. Some stains are adhering to the plaque on the teeth (often along the gumline) and some stains are not easily removed unless the dentist does it. It sounds like you are doing a good job with the brushing though. People in certain ethnic backgrounds tend to get more staining. Do they take any medications? Sometimes that can do it as well. If you've been to the dentist that's about all you can do, and if he/she isn't too worried then that is always a good thing.

 

He didn't ask about eating habits, but they don't get a lot of berries right now because of the cost at the grocery store. I'm hoping it goes away with consistent brushing.

 

I know this sounds strange, but if you scraped at it with your fingernail-- does it come off? And is it just the front teeth that have it?

 

Do you give them an iron or multi-vitamin supplement with iron in it? When I've seen kids with the grayish even black staining, it usually can be traced to a liquid form of an iron supplement. I know it's hard, but those stains are building up and need to be cleaned off... I'd use a soft wet washcloth to rub the fronts and backs of their front teeth. That's the best way at this age to clean them - easier than a toothbrush. You have more control and don't have to worry about hurting or jabbing them with a tooth brush. HTH

 

Are they drinking applejuice, grapejuice, or any juice? Anything that stains a carpet can stain teeth. There is a term called blackline stain that runs along the gumline. Thats just a healthy stain that can form in any child or adult. Some peoples teeth just stain easier than others. Somethimes you can get it off with a washrag or toothbrush sometimes it needs to be scaled off by a hygienist. I'm a hygienist and I see lots of juice stains on small childrens teeth.

 

YES!!!! I've wondered about this in my own kids. We've not been to a dentist yet... was going to ask their Pedi at their 2 yr appt. It's at the gum line, and is greyish black. I've tried to scrape it off, and it doesn't come off. I've thought it was probably the berries (they love blueberries) and juice, although it's so diluted down when I give it to them.) We brush every night, and I try to really get those front top ones that are stained. Of course, they don't like it.

 

Are they getting too much fluoride? Mine are on fluoride supplements since we have well water... I have to watch to make sure they don't get too much in other sources, or their teeth will stain/streak from it.