Dental - Discolored Molars in Kids?!
Question: We just came back from the dentist and my 7 year old has sprouted a molar. The problem is that it is discolored. When the dentist came in to talk with us, she gave this a name (or course I can't remember what it was). She explained that it is not uncommon, but was probably from the excessive antibolics he took from infancy to 3 years of age for severe ear infections that caused this particular problem. What is the name of this condition? I'd like to do some research. Thanks!
Answers: We just came back from the dentist and my 7 year old has sprouted a molar. The problem is that it is discolored. When the dentist came in to talk with us, she gave this a name (or course I can't remember what it was). She explained that it is not uncommon, but was probably from the excessive antibolics he took from infancy to 3 years of age for severe ear infections that caused this particular problem. What is the name of this condition? I'd like to do some research. Thanks!
The first permanent molar that erupts at around age 6 begins calcification at birth. Therefore, taking tetracycline anytime after birth may cause tetracycline staining. Does it look greyish brown? Depending on how long he took the antibiotic, it may cause some discoloration in his permanent anterior teeth as well. However, tetracycline is rarely used these days before age 8 due to the effects it has on teeth. The more common type of staining I see on permanent first molars these days are caused by a condition called hypoplasia. Hypoplasia could be caused by anything (high fever, illness) at a young age. These molars tend to look blotchy and chalky with a yellowish, chalky white, to brown discoloration. These teeth tend to be very prone to cavities because the enamel never formed correctly during calcification. Proper oral hygiene is pertinent in these kids. Hope this info helps.
I can't remember the name either but if you google discolored molars in children you will get plenty of sites.
Tetracycline was a drug that isn't used anymore in the U.S. but it used to cause discoloration in children's teeth, generally the top third of the teeth (only) were affected. Striped teeth. That was a hard thing for kids to overcome and nothing to be done about it. some kids had yellow teeth with white dots or the other way around.
Your kids are lucky, and, the discoloration has nothing to do with the health of the teeth. If they have what is known as 'molar to molar' smiles then when they are older you might want to think about having them crowned. Try whitening first although it doesn't work completely.
If you go to your public library (or local university library), the librarian can help you search the databases for articles if this link doesn't answer all your questions.
Often this discoloration is called tetracycline staining, after the antibiotic most likely to have caused the staining. It's mostly a cosmetic defect, that when he gets older if the discoloration bothers him, he can do some whitening treatments or (if it also affects the front teeth) veneers.