Both external and internal things can lead to brown staining on a child’s teeth.
It can be alarming to see your child’s teeth showing signs of blotchy brown stains. Teeth staining can affect your child’s appearance and self-confidence, so it is important to know what can cause it and the best way to prevent it.
Best Dentists in St. Louis. Really a great dental experience. I have used this office for regular dental care, cavities, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry. Teeth look great.
Response from the owner:Christopher we apologize for the belated response. We are very pleased to hear you have a great dental experience with our office! Thank you for your kind words. We look forward to seeing you at your next dental appointment!
Dr. Behl!
I cannot recommend Dr. Maris Behl enough. If you have dental anxiety, she is truly the kind of dentist you hope to find. If teeth could be wrapped in pillows and protected by flying unicorns, Dr. Behl would somehow make it happen.
I have significant anxiety around dental procedures and have needed deeper sedation for dental work in the past. From the beginning, Dr. Behl took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel genuinely heard rather than dismissed or rushed. She created such a sense of trust and safety that I was eventually able to have my dental work done with only nitrous instead of full sedation, which is something I honestly didn’t think I would be comfortable doing.
During my crown placement, she explained what she was doing throughout the procedure, which made an enormous difference in keeping me calm. She also took the time to address a filling that had been bothering me for what felt like forever — and she actually fixed the problem.
What stands out most about Dr. Behl is how safe I feel in her care. She is compassionate, patient, communicative, and incredibly attentive to how her patients are feeling. For someone with dental anxiety, that combination is invaluable.
Finding a dentist I trust this much has completely changed my experience with dental care. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Behl and would recommend her without hesitation, especially to anyone who has dental anxiety or has struggled to feel comfortable receiving dental treatment.
Response from the owner:Thank you for such incredibly kind words! We’ll be sure to pass this along to Dr. Behl. We’re pretty sure the flying unicorns are going to be the part she remembers most! 🦄💙 We’re so glad our team could help make your experience a more comfortable one.
Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly.
My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!
Both external and internal things can lead to brown staining on a child’s teeth. To know how to prevent them, and if it is already present, to eliminate it, it is important to know what the cause is.
The following list can help you discover potential causes for the stains on your child’s teeth:
Dental cavities – One of the most common reasons for brown staining in children’s teeth is dental caries (also called cavities). Poor bottle feeding, oral care habits, or nutrition might be to blame for your child’s dental cavities.
Genetic factors – Some children may have brown stains on their teeth because it is hereditary and an inherited trait. Not everyone’s teeth are the same shade.
Major Trauma – When a tooth has experienced significant change or trauma, it is not uncommon for it to stain. This type of staining is especially common with impact injuries.
Too much fluoride – If your child ingests too much fluoride, it can cause tooth discoloration that can lead to staining of the teeth known as fluorosis.
Early tooth decay – Tooth decay results from poor oral care and can not only affect baby teeth and lead to staining, but it can also carry into the permanent teeth if the decay gets underneath the tooth and is able to damage the gums.
Chromogenic and iron bacteria – Chromogenic and iron bacteria is the result of staining done by certain medications, foods, and drinks. Certain acne medications are famous for this.
Brown Spot on Tooth But No Pain – Should You Be Concerned?
Sometimes a brown spot on a baby tooth appears without any pain or sensitivity. In many cases, this may not be an emergency—but it still deserves attention. Possible causes include:
Early decay that hasn’t reached the nerve
Staining from iron supplements or medications
Mild fluorosis
Genetic enamel irregularities
Even if your child isn’t complaining, a pediatric dental exam can rule out underlying issues and recommend the best course of action.
What should you do if you notice brown stains?
If you notice that there are brown stains on your child’s teeth, or that there are recent changes to the color of them, then it is best to call your pediatric dentist to have them examine your child to find out what the cause is and how you can correct it.
Sometimes the fix is an easy one and sometimes it might be more complex, but the earlier that you tackle the problem, the more likely you are to get a good outcome and do away with the teeth staining. Addressing any staining immediately is also important to prevent it from spreading to other teeth, or to prevent it from becoming permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brown stains on baby teeth can be caused by cavities, excess fluoride (fluorosis), trauma, genetics, or bacterial buildup from food and drinks.
Yes, brown stains, especially near the gum line or deep in grooves, can indicate tooth decay. A dentist can assess if treatment is needed.
Yes, excessive fluoride exposure can cause fluorosis, leading to brown or white streaks on baby teeth.
Brushing twice daily, using a soft toothbrush, and regular dental cleanings can help. A dentist can remove stubborn stains.
If stains persist, spread, or worsen, consult a pediatric dentist to identify the cause and possible treatments.
St. Louis Pediatric Dentist
If you notice that there are any changes to your child’s teeth, or if they have had oral trauma that you fear might lead to staining, it is important to discuss what options are available to fix the stains on your child’s teeth and to restore them to their original shade of pearly white. Call your pediatric dentist today to address any concerns that you might have about your child’s oral appearance.
Call Us Today
The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
