Why Are My Baby's Teeth Yellow?
Jul 01, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, a baby's yellow teeth may be caused by improper diet, poor oral hygiene, dental caries, fluorosis, tetracycline-stained teeth, or other similar reasons. Treatment options may include general care, medication, or physical therapies, and should be conducted under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, it is advisable to avoid excessive consumption of deeply pigmented foods and beverages by the baby, in order to reduce the chance of pigmentation adhering to the tooth surfaces.
Generally, yellow teeth in infants may be caused by improper diet, poor oral hygiene, dental caries, dental fluorosis, or tetracycline-stained teeth. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation at a hospital to determine the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Improper Diet
If infants frequently consume deeply pigmented foods, such as carrots and oranges, the pigments may easily adhere to the surface of their teeth, causing yellowing. This can usually be improved by adjusting dietary and oral hygiene habits.
2. Poor Oral Hygiene
If infants do not develop good brushing habits, plaque can accumulate on the tooth surface, leading to tartar formation and yellowing of teeth. Parents should use baby-specific toothpaste and toothbrushes to clean the infant's mouth to improve the yellowing issue.
3. Dental Caries
Dental caries may be caused by dietary habits, poor hygiene, environmental factors, genetic factors, and oral bacteria. Caries can cause tooth decalcification, resulting in yellow teeth, and are often accompanied by symptoms such as toothache and dental cavities. Treatment can involve dental fillings under a doctor's guidance to prevent further progression of caries.
4. Dental Fluorosis
Long-term exposure of infants to high-fluoride environments may lead to dental fluorosis, indirectly causing teeth to turn yellow. Symptoms may also include tooth spots and tooth wear. As directed by a physician, medications such as compound vitamin B tablets, sodium fluoride glycerin paste, and compound triamcinolone acetonide dental coating agents may be used for improvement.
5. Tetracycline-Stained Teeth
Tetracycline-stained teeth may occur if pregnant women take tetracycline antibiotics, such as tetracycline or oxytetracycline, during pregnancy, or if infants take these medications during tooth development and mineralization stages. These drugs can bind with calcium in teeth to form a stable tetracycline-calcium complex, which deposits in the dentin and causes tooth discoloration, appearing yellow, brown, or even gray. The color may gradually darken over time. Symptoms such as enamel hypoplasia may also occur. Under a doctor's guidance, dental restoration options such as teeth whitening, resin restoration, or porcelain crown restoration can be selected based on the degree of tooth discoloration and the patient's needs.
In daily life, infants should avoid consuming excessive deeply pigmented foods and beverages to reduce the chance of pigment adhering to the tooth surface. Additionally, regular dental checkups should be scheduled to promptly identify and address dental issues, preventing the occurrence of oral diseases such as yellow teeth.
