WE ACCEPT THE CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN (CDCP)
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If your child’s tooth is turning darker, it is most likely because your child bumped the tooth. Blood vessels in the tooth’s nerve rupture with trauma leaking out iron which turns the tooth gray, brown or dark.
If your child’s permanent tooth erupts with white or brown spots, this is most likely enamel hypoplasia. Enamel hypoplasia means the enamel didn’t form properly. This may happen if your child had an infection, high fever, nutritional deficiency, or bumped their baby tooth all of which can affect proper formation of the enamel of the developing adult tooth. This most likely happened between the ages of 0-4 years.
In all of the above cases, take your child to the Bolton dentist.
If the tooth was bumped and turned darker, the dentist will check for signs of infection by taking an x-ray, asking about symptoms and looking for a pimple or swelling in the gum. If a baby tooth is infected, it should be extracted to prevent the infection from harming the new tooth developing underneath it. If it’s an adult tooth that is infected, an extraction or root canal can be performed. The good news is that sometimes the tooth becomes lighter after turning dark.
If the tooth is brown due to decay, the tooth can be restored with a filling or a crown if there is enough tooth material.
If the tooth erupts with white or brown spots or pitting, a dentist can see if a filling is required. These teeth can decay easily and should receive fluoride varnish in the office.
Tooth whitening will not be effective in these cases and can cause sensitivity or harm if done. If an adult tooth turns dark and the nerve is dead and/or infected, a root canal should be done if the tooth is strong enough for a filling or crown. After the root canal, the tooth can be whitened from the inside of the tooth called internal bleaching or a white crown can be placed.
Wear a sports guard or a face mask when playing contact sports or sports where you are likely to fall like skate boarding, to prevent trauma to your teeth. Prevent decay by having a low sugar diet, practicing good daily oral hygiene and visiting the dentist every 6 months for an exam to find cavities when they are small and to teach you healthy habits.
Teeth can discolour due to trauma or decay such as the above scenarios. But, the most common causes of tooth discolouration are food, drinks, smoking and not keeping our teeth clean. Prevent this type of tooth discolouration by brushing twice a day, flossing every day, limiting food and drinks that stain teeth such as coffee and tea, stopping smoking, and visiting a dental office at least every 6 months for a dental cleaning.
If you are interested in tooth whitening, ask a dental professional for the options and to see if you are a good candidate.
Do you have a child with a discoloured tooth? Call Watermelon Dental and book a visit for an exam. We will let you know what is happening and what can be done. We are located in Caledon in downtown Bolton. Go to watermelondental.ca to book an appointment online or call us at 647-946-6070. We look forward to taking care of you.
