Black plaque on a child’s teeth - why does it form and how to remove pristley plaque on children’s baby teeth?

In pediatric dentistry, one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor is black plaque on a child’s baby teeth. It can appear at any age, and sometimes completely unexpectedly: some parents say that the baby went to bed with normal teeth, and woke up with noticeable blackening. Why do young children’s teeth turn black, what should be done in such cases, and how dangerous is this blackening?

What is Priestley plaque on teeth?

This is a dental problem that occurs in children. In this condition, deposits are found on the enamel of the teeth. Dark plaque on a child’s teeth can be black or brown, sometimes with a light or pearlescent tint. As a rule, it is located as a thin border along the lower edge of the teeth closer to the gums. But plaque can also cover a large area of the tooth or look like a small spot on the enamel. Most often, dark deposits appear on the inside of the teeth, less often in the interdental space or on the outer surface of the teeth.

Photo courtesy of InWhite Medical Clinic

Possible consequences after a bruise

It is no secret that any injury received can subsequently cause complications. A tooth bruise is no exception. Moreover, the consequences can appear even when appropriate treatment has been performed. This occurs if the pulp zone has been severely damaged.

The tissue will gradually begin to die and necrosis will appear. With necrosis, inflammation occurs, which must be addressed immediately. The earlier it is identified, the more successful the forecasts will be.

But the most common occurrence is staining. Parents notice that the child’s tooth has darkened after being hit. Darkening occurs quite quickly. This may be due to periodontal trauma, or may be a consequence of a lack of nutrients. They cannot supply what is needed because the dental tissues and fibers are damaged.

There are also more serious violations that occur over time. These include the formation of cysts in damaged areas.

In any of the above cases, adequate treatment often brings positive results.

How to detect dark plaque in time

regularly examine the child’s oral cavity independently;
do not postpone scheduled visits to the dentist.

It must be taken into account that Priestley plaque on the teeth often accumulates slowly, which is why the child gets used to the stains on the enamel and does not tell his parents about them. Darkening of teeth can occur quickly, literally overnight. Reactive appearance most often occurs during illness, accompanied by intoxication, dehydration and increased body temperature. This is due to the fact that the child’s body reacts sharply to various changes in diet, the functioning of internal organs and in external conditions.

Deposits most often occur at the age of 2-3 years. However, they can also appear on the very first milk teeth of a one-year-old child. Or it could affect the baby teeth of a younger teenager who haven’t had time to change. The darkening may also spread to permanent teeth.

Prevention of dental plaque in children

Prevention of dental diseases should begin with the appearance of the first milk teeth. The following recommendations must be followed:

brush the newborn’s teeth from the moment of teething using a special silicone fingertip;

by the age of 2-3 years, accustom the child to cleaning the oral cavity independently in the morning and evening;
change your baby’s toothbrush every month, buy hygiene products intended for children of the appropriate age;
Bring your child for a preventive examination to the dentist every 4 months, even if there is no plaque or other symptoms;
limit the consumption of sweets, include healthy foods without fast carbohydrates and with minerals in the children's menu.

The baby may also be bothered by other symptoms that he cannot tell an adult about. Therefore, bring him for examination, regardless of what color plaque has formed on his teeth.

Why does a child have black plaque on his teeth?

The main problem with the appearance of Priestley plaque on teeth is not that it causes bad breath, looks unsightly, or cannot be removed independently without the help of a hygienist. Priestley's plaque is a signal that something has changed in the child's body, due to which non-dangerous bacteria began to actively multiply, creating deposits. And for high-quality treatment and prevention of the development of diseases, it is necessary to find out why black plaque forms on the teeth, the reasons for the appearance of beneficial living conditions for bacteria.

Possible causes of plaque:

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diabetes;

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genetic feature or hereditary predisposition;

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thyroid diseases;

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incorrectly selected hygiene products;

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parasite infection.

Dysbacteriosis.

Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract can occur due to malnutrition, food poisoning, immaturity of the digestive system, taking antibiotics or chronic diseases of the stomach, liver, and intestines.

Caries.

Due to the fact that parents usually do not brush their baby’s first teeth, yellow plaque begins to accumulate on the enamel, which over time can cause caries. Irregular or insufficiently high-quality tooth brushing by the child himself also leads to the formation of caries. Carious lesions create a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria, which causes Priestley plaque to appear on baby teeth.

Dehydration.

Symptoms of bruise

The symptoms of a severe bruise are obvious and easy to recognize. The area where the mechanical impact occurred causes unpleasant and painful sensations in the child. Children complain of severe pain when chewing food.

There are other common symptoms that can help diagnose a bruise:

Hemorrhage is observed, due to which the enamel may turn pink. This occurs due to ruptures of blood vessels and tissues at the tooth base.
A baby tooth darkened after a blow to a child, this is due to the fact that the periodontal tissue was injured. The periodontium is a complex of tissues that surround and hold human teeth in the alveolar area.
There is slight loosening of the tooth. Although it is not too strong, it can be a symptom of damage to the alveolar bone. Untreated trauma to baby teeth can cause irreversible consequences that will negatively affect the formation of permanent teeth.
There may be redness and swelling in the area where the main impact was made. The hematoma can be pronounced, or can only be detected by palpation. In any case, when you lightly press it, the child experiences pain and discomfort.
A strong blow can lead to a more serious injury - a fracture of the alveolar process. If it is present, a person cannot make the usual movements of the jaw; when closing and opening the jaw, severe pain is observed.
Ligament rupture resulting from a blow causes pain not only in the damaged area, but throughout the entire surface of the jaw. The child refuses to eat and becomes capricious.

In order to identify a bruise in a child, parents should closely monitor the health of their children. It is advised to pay due attention to every complaint that in one way or another may be related to the state of health.

Diagnosis of Priestley plaque on teeth

If darkening is detected on the enamel of a child’s teeth, you must contact a dental clinic.

The specialist will:

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inspection;

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laser diagnostics to determine the depth and size of the lesion;

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anamnesis collection.

After a conversation with the parent and child and collecting an anamnesis, the pediatric dentist will immediately prescribe treatment or conduct an additional examination. You should not neglect it - it is important for a specialist to find out why the child has black plaque on his teeth. Only after this will he be able to provide quality treatment.

Possible cause of tooth darkening

The most common reason that a child’s baby tooth has darkened is mechanical impact on it. A bruise can occur for a large number of reasons, which sometimes depend and sometimes do not depend on the child.

Children are considered the most common population group to experience tooth discoloration. This happens due to a mistake made by a parent, or due to a child’s inattention.

A tooth bruise is a mechanical injury caused by a hard object. In the case of which the tooth itself does not suffer, the main blow falls on the periodontium. It can lead to bleeding and severe tissue rupture.

With a strong blow, vessels can be damaged, damage to which leads to hemorrhage, and pulp tissues are affected. In this case, there is no need to panic; most of these symptoms are reversible if you consult a doctor immediately after the first sign of a bruise.

Many parents do not take this fact seriously, because baby teeth are a temporary phenomenon; permanent teeth will grow in their place. These are deeply erroneous thoughts; they, of course, will grow, but darkened baby teeth without appropriate treatment will negatively affect their structure.

Therefore, at the first suspicion of a bruise, even if no serious violations are observed with the naked eye, it is recommended to take the child to see a dentist.

Additional protective measures for Priestley's raid

It is possible that Priestley's plaque on the teeth appeared due to an infection and, as a result, a temporary deterioration in the functioning of the immune system. But it is necessary to make sure that there are no serious and dangerous deviations in the child’s health. Therefore, if dental plaque is detected, the dentist will recommend taking additional measures:

get tested for the presence of parasites in the body;
consult a gastroenterologist;
take tests to check the level of iron and calcium in the body;
check your blood sugar levels.

These measures will help identify the problems that are causing plaque to form on your teeth.

How to remove black plaque on teeth

It is impossible to remove dental plaque at home. Moreover, the use of abrasive agents and intense exposure to teeth with a brush can cause an increase in dental problems: thinning or damage to the enamel, trauma to the gums or mucous membrane.

Priestley's plaque on children's teeth can only be removed in a well-equipped dental clinic. The specialist will:

professional teeth cleaning;
If necessary, treat the teeth with a remineralizing composition.

If plaque formation is caused by dental problems, additional treatment may be prescribed, including bite correction.

The doctor will also select a home hygiene kit that is ideal for the child: a toothbrush of the correct shape and hardness, toothpaste with the optimal composition, and mouth rinse. Additionally, the hygienist will teach the child how to brush their teeth correctly and will talk about the need for quality oral care.

Taking into account the causes of the disease, the dentist may prescribe additional treatment measures, for example, recommend dietary supplements, dietary nutrition, avoidance of drinks and foods with dyes that affect the color of the enamel.

Preventive measures

You can avoid darkening of teeth in childhood without much hassle. Parents are advised to remember the basic rules, which are very important to adhere to:

Pay sufficient attention to regular checks of the quality of the child’s oral hygiene. It is better to teach children the need to brush their teeth after the first tooth appears (even before the age of 12 months). Thanks to the formation of this habit from the first years of life, it will be possible to maintain the beautiful color of the teeth and the health of the child in general.
A thoughtful diet is very important to prevent the darkening of children's teeth. Consuming sufficient amounts of key nutrients, minerals and vitamins significantly reduces the likelihood of developing dental problems. To avoid the appearance of black teeth in baby teeth, parents should control the amount of sweet carbonated drinks, confectionery and white pastries in the child’s diet. At the same time, it is very important that children consume raw vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products.
It is important to select the appropriate teeth cleaning products. For example, one-year-old children need a completely different toothpaste compared to schoolchildren. It is important to regularly replace toothbrushes, the choice of which also depends on age.
In areas where drinking water contains high amounts of fluoride, it is important to control its quality. This is a very important moment for children in the first year of life, because it is at this time that bones and teeth are formed.
Regular visits to a specialist for preventive examination, therapy and cleaning are factors that prevent the darkening of baby teeth.
To prevent caries or treat a minor problem of this type, it is better to use deep fluoridation instead of silvering. The procedure prevents the development of dark plaque and is more effective.

All experts say that preventing problems with baby teeth is easier than treating them. Regular preventative measures minimize the likelihood that your child's teeth will begin to turn black or fall out before permanent teeth emerge.