Iron supplements produce spots on children's teeth

Not all spots on children's teeth are associated with poor dental hygiene, such as cavities or tartar, but, Some iron supplements that send children to take when they have anemia, can produce some unsightly dark spots on the teeth. We tell you why these spots occur on children's teeth and what to do

Not all spots on children's teeth are associated with poor dental hygiene, such as cavities or tartar, but, Some iron supplements that send children to take when they have anemia, can produce some unsightly dark spots on the teeth.

We tell you why these spots occur on children's teeth and what to do to soften their color.

Causes of stains on children's teeth

There are many factors that can alter the enamel color of children's teeth: antibiotics such as tetracycline, excessive fluoridation, hypocalcification, or taking iron supplements.

Iron tablets are usually prescribed to children who suffer from anemia, that is, a lack of iron in their blood.

It is best to take them on an empty stomach and never together with milk, calcium or antacids. Its side effects are not very relevant, although it is usual that children who take it suffer from constipation or diarrhea, depending on each body, as well as stomach ailments or nausea, in addition to leaving very noticeable dark spots on the teeth that they make parents cry out in heaven.

When children are very small and unable to swallow a pill, pediatricians often recommend liquid iron supplements to be drunk, so the problem of children's tooth stains is accentuated.

Do not worry too much. It is true, that they give an unsightly and unhygienic appearance not very pleasant to see, and to make matters worse, they are difficult to avoid, but it is nothing that has no solution.

Tips that you should follow to soften those uncomfortable spots

1- If the iron is taken as a drink, you can mix the dose with water or juice, never with milk, as we have said before. This has the small inconvenience, that if the child does not drink all the water, in the end you do not know if you have taken the full dose, so try not to put too much water.

2- Another way to avoid el iron supplement having contact with the teeth is to take it with a straw, or if it is a baby, with a syringe. This will not prevent the spots from appearing but they may be milder. 3- Once the stains on the child's teeth have appeared, you should know that no matter how much you brush your teeth it will be impossible to eliminate them. You can try to soften them by applying a little

baking soda to the brush, if it is not too small and there is no risk of swallowing it. Although these spotsusually reappear, you do not have to worry too much because when the child grows they gradually disappear and at 9 they are no longer present. Por 4- Finally, if the child is older and is still in the dentist's chair, they can be removed with a dental cleaning.