When your baby’s teeth grow in, they’re typically white or off-white in color. However, occasionally, baby teeth can grow in discolored. This could happen for several reasons, and most of the time it’s not caused by anything the parent has done or hasn’t done.
Medications
If your baby had to be on medication before teething, there’s a chance the teeth will grow in discolored, especially if the medications contained iron. Taking antibiotics during pregnancy can occasionally cause this as well.
Trauma
Any injury to the gums before teething can cause the teeth to grow in discolored, typically pink or gray.
Newborn Jaundice
Premature babies often have slight jaundice after birth, and this can cause the teeth to grow in looking a little green.
Serious Illness
An infection or serious illness can also discolor baby teeth. Newborn hepatitis and heart disease can also discolor baby teeth.
Excessive Fluoride
Too much fluoride can create bright white spots or streaks on baby teeth. This condition is called fluorosis.
Inadequate Brushing
If baby teeth and gums aren’t brushed properly, bacteria can build up on the teeth and gums and discolor both teeth already present and teeth forming. If this is the culprit for your child’s discolored baby teeth, use a fingertip toothbrush designed just for infants and brush the teeth and gums with just water. You can use an infant toothpaste, but there is no real need to use toothpaste until the child can spit, which is usually around age 2 or 3.
Also, make sure that you don’t let your baby or toddler go to sleep with a bottle in the crib unless the bottle contains only water. Letting a baby fall asleep while sipping milk or juice will cause tooth decay. In addition, never dip a pacifier in a sugary coating such as honey.If your child has discolored teeth, take him or her to your dentist as soon as possible for a recommendation at what to do next.