If your child’s tooth is turning a different color, you may be concerned. This isn’t normal, right? Does it mean that something’s seriously wrong with their oral health? What should you do? In this blog from Gary D. Sabbadini, DDS, we’ll discuss everything you need to know.
Baby Teeth Can Discolor After An Oral Injury
If your child bumps one of their teeth and injures it, this can result in a color change in the tooth. For example, if they fall down and hit their tooth on a table, a piece of furniture, or the ground, this can traumatize the tooth and cause it to darken.
This can happen even with relatively minor injuries and it may not happen right away. It may take several weeks or months for the tooth to discolor, so many parents won’t realize that their child's discolored tooth is related to bumping or damaging their baby tooth.
Why does this happen? Basically, you can think of this as a bruise. The blood supply inside the tooth may have been damaged, causing some blood to leak into the structures of the tooth and turn it a red, brown, gray or black color.
If the blood supply to the tooth hasn't been to badly damaged, the tooth may lighten back up. If this doesn't happen, it may be an indication that the tooth is seriously injured or infected. Your child should be seen by a pediatric dentist immediately after the injury (If possible) or as soon as is practical to assess possible damage to the tooth.
A Discolored Tooth Can Also Indicate Tooth Decay Or Infection
A discolored tooth may also be a deep cavity in a baby tooth or adult tooth, especially if you can see a visible hole or pit in the tooth in addition to the discoloration. In some cases, the cavity may be so large that it can cause pain or infection.
Tooth infections can result in tooth loss, so if you suspect that your child’s discolored tooth is due to a cavity or a tooth infection, you need to get help right away. This is particularly true if one of their adult teeth is changed in color.
If your child is complaining of tooth pain, sensitivity, or tenderness near the affected tooth, the cause of their discolored tooth is likely decay or an infection, and you should get help right away from a pediatric dentist.
Does Your Child Have A Discolored Tooth? Come And See Dr. Gary Today!
Discolored teeth are abnormal. And while they’re not always harmful, they can sometimes indicate bigger problems with your child’s teeth. So if your child has one or more teeth that are turning a different color, you shouldn’t take any chances. Book an appointment online or give us a call at (510) 724-4400 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gary right away, and get the expert dental care you need in Pinole