Children want nice looking teeth, as well as an attractive smile. They can be very self-conscious about dental stains and discolorations. Tooth bleaching and esthetic dentistry is now available to treat these problems in children and adolescents. This article will discuss the causes of stained teeth in children, and what can be done about it.

Tooth discoloration may be classified as either extrinsic (external) or intrinsic (internal). Extrinsic discoloration may be caused by food, beverages, or medications. Intrinsic discoloration may be sub-classified into superficial enamel discoloration, and deep internal discoloration.

Causes of Teeth Discoloration

1.    Alkaptonuria causes a brown discoloration of the teeth.

2.    Congenital erythropoietic porphyria causes a red-brown discoloration.

3.    Congenital hyperbilirubinemia will cause a yellow-green discoloration due to elevated levels of biliverdin in the blood.

4.    Systemic syndromes often cause enamel hypoplasia (inadequate development) and pitting of the enamel.

Home Remedies to Avoid Teeth Discoloration

1.    Baking soda is a very good whitening agent. You can prepare toothpaste with baking soda, lime and salt, adding a few drops of lime as well. Use it to clean your teeth on a daily basis.

2.    A number of fruits have bleaching properties and can help remove teeth discoloration. Include fruits like strawberries, lemon and oranges in your diet.

3.    Mouthwash proves beneficial in removing teeth discoloration. After having meals, make sure to rinse your mouth with a mouthwash. It does not let the stains accumulate.

4.    Include lots of vegetables, like cucumbers, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes, in your diet. They help dissolve the molecules that cause deep stains.

5.    You should brush the teeth regularly, at least two times in a day, to avoid discoloration of teeth.

6.    Rubbing the teeth with salt has been found to be effective in treating discoloration of teeth.

7.    After brushing your teeth, use a floss to clean the inner parts. This would help remove the food particles stuck therein, thereby curing teeth discoloration.

8.    Chewing sugarless gum right after meals is effective in treating discoloration of teeth.

9.    Avoid foods and beverages that leave a stain on the teeth. They would add to the discoloration problem.

10.    Baking soda is a very good whitening agent. You can prepare toothpaste with baking soda, lime and salt, adding a few drops of lime as well. Use it to clean your teeth on a daily basis.

11.    A number of fruits have bleaching properties and can help remove teeth discoloration. Include fruits like strawberries, lemon and oranges in your diet.

12.    Mouthwash proves beneficial in removing teeth discoloration. After having meals, make sure to rinse your mouth with a mouthwash. It does not let the stains accumulate.

13.    Include lots of vegetables, like cucumbers, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes, in your diet. They help dissolve the molecules that cause deep stains.

14.    You should brush the teeth regularly, at least two times in a day, to avoid discoloration of teeth.

15.    Rubbing the teeth with salt has been found to be effective in treating discoloration of teeth.

16.    After brushing your teeth, use a floss to clean the inner parts. This would help remove the food particles stuck therein, thereby curing teeth discoloration.

17.    Chewing sugarless gum right after meals is effective in treating discoloration of teeth.

18.    Avoid foods and beverages that leave a stain on the teeth. They would add to the discoloration problem.