Quite a lot of moms and dads are faced with the problem of black milk teeth in a baby. In some children, the teeth darken over time, and there are those in which they are already erupting black. Why this happens and what to do about it, we’ll talk in this article.
Caries is the most common problem
Caries is a pathological process in which hard tissue is destroyed. Often the disease affects barely appeared teeth in children from one and a half years. And there are several reasons for this:
- Before the age of 3, saliva in children contains a different level of acidity than in adults. Therefore, it does not yet have such a bactericidal property, which creates a fertile ground for pathogenic microorganisms.
- At an early age, babies are not yet very good at dental hygiene.
- The enamel of milk teeth is very sensitive and thin, so it reacts more sharply to damaging factors than the enamel of permanent teeth.
- One of the main factors that causes tooth decay is frequent bottle feeding. There is even a term – “bottle caries”. Feeding at night is especially harmful, when less saliva is produced. For microbes, this is just what you need.
- In terms of nutrition, in addition to bottle feeding, eating a lot of sweets is a provoking factor in the appearance of tooth decay.
- Another point is the non-observance of personal hygiene by the parents themselves. A common practice is for mom, dad, or grandma to lick a pacifier or spoon before giving it to a baby. Thus, adult microbes “migrate” to the baby.
What should I do?
There are adults who believe that milk teeth do not need to be treated, because they will fall out anyway. But you need to understand that a temporary tooth with caries can lead to the appearance of an unhealthy permanent tooth. Moreover, the presence of a constant infection in the mouth provokes diseases of the upper respiratory tract – hence sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
Children’s milk teeth are usually treated with fluoridation or silvering. But this method can be applied only in the early stages of caries. Otherwise, the tooth is removed, and this can provoke a shift in the row in the future. Therefore, the most important thing is to identify the problem in time and solve it.
Priestley Raid
Priestley plaque is another likely cause of black teeth in children. Priestley plaque is a black pigment that is the result of the vital activity of certain bacteria. Such plaque, as a rule, affects the milk teeth. Bacteria can be transmitted both from adults and from other babies. By the way, the presence of these bacteria in the oral cavity of adults is considered normal microflora. Experts associate Priestley’s plaque and the appearance of blackness on the teeth with disorders in the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal microflora. Therefore, often such children become patients of gastroenterologists. 
What should I do?
Dentists assure that Priestley’s plaque does not pose a threat to the teeth – it is rather an aesthetic problem. The clinics carry out procedures to remove plaque and cover the teeth with a special solution that will prevent the darkening of the enamel. But, unfortunately, there is no 100% guarantee that there will be no relapse.
Child’s black teeth and pregnancy
In addition to the above, there are more rare causes of black teeth in children associated with the mother’s pregnancy:
- calcium deficiency;
- excess iron and fluorine;
- past infectious diseases;
- taking certain medications.
By the way, if the child himself takes drugs with iron, then the teeth can turn black, brown, blue or purple. When you stop using the drug, this problem disappears on its own. If you are interested in knowing everything about the procedure for changing milk teeth, welcome to our blog! If you notice any dental problems in your baby, do not hesitate – sign up for a consultation at the PRIZMA aesthetic dentistry clinic, pediatric dentistry without pain and tears! Teach your child about dental hygiene from an early age! Bveneers in Kiev and their detailed description you can find on website of PRIZMA.
