HomeAnswersPediatric Dentistryearly childhood cariesWhy are there stains in upper teeth of baby?

What causes stains in upper teeth of a baby?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Divya Banu M

Published At August 17, 2019
Reviewed AtJuly 11, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My baby girl is 17 months old and started showing some stains on her top teeth. They also look a bit transparent in the part not stained. She is on Formula milk for a few months and was breastfed before that and also was late in eating. I am just worried that those stains might be a sign of a health issue or are they just milk bacteria accumulating.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Thomas

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The stains seem to be the onset of early childhood caries which usually starts on the four upper front teeth due to improper brushing (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Try to brush at least two times after feeding. If possible, wipe the front teeth after every feeding using wet cotton to remove all sticky milk from the teeth. As the babies usually drink milk in lying down posture, milk accumulates between upper lips and front four teeth causing milk sticking to them for a long time. It is better if you can go to a dentist and get a fluoride varnish to prevent the breakdown of those teeth in the near future.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Naveen Thomas
Dr. Naveen Thomas

Dentistry

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