Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 3 minutes
Have you noticed brown spots or stains on your child’s teeth and wondered what’s going on? Whether it’s a faint discoloration or a dark patch that won’t brush off, it can be alarming to see changes in your child’s smile.
In this blog, we will walk you through the most common reasons kids develop brown spots on their teeth and what you can do to keep your child’s smile healthy and bright.
We are always accepting new patients at our offices in Denver, Aurora, Thornton and Hampden.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
Brown teeth in kids can result from tooth decay, enamel defects, dental fluorosis, diet, medications, or dental trauma. Treatment depends on the cause but may include professional cleaning, fillings, fluoride treatments, microabrasion, bonding, veneers, or crowns.
What Services Does Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics Provide?
If you see brown spots on your child’s teeth, you can turn to Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics. Our team provides:
- Pediatric dental exams and professional cleanings
- Cavity detection and treatment
- Dental sealants to protect healthy teeth
- Gentle removal of tooth stains or decayed areas
- Tooth-colored fillings for natural-looking results
- Preventive education for lifelong oral hygiene and dental health
Learn More About Our Services
Why Do Kids Get Brown Spots On Their Teeth?
Several factors can lead to brown teeth in children. Here are the most common reasons:
- Tooth decay: If plaque stays on the teeth too long, it can cause dental cavities that appear as dark brown spots. This can happen on baby teeth, or permanent teeth.
- Enamel hypoplasia: This condition occurs when the enamel is thinner or underdeveloped. It can affect one or more teeth and may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, illness, or trauma during tooth development. Enamel hypoplasia makes teeth more vulnerable to staining, decay, and sensitivity, and the affected areas can appear white, yellow, or brown.
- Too much fluoride: Excess fluoride during tooth development can cause dental fluorosis, which usually appears as white spots or streaks. In more severe cases, the spots may look yellow or brown. This can happen if a child regularly swallows toothpaste, uses fluoride supplements unnecessarily, or drinks water with naturally high fluoride levels.
- Diet and drinks: Frequent exposure to soda, sports drinks, acidic foods, or dark-colored juices can cause tooth stains, especially if oral hygiene habits are poor.
- Medications: Some medications or supplements (such as iron drops) can lead to tooth discoloration.
- Injuries: Dental trauma to baby teeth can sometimes cause a brown or gray appearance as the tooth reacts to injury to the teeth, including damage to blood vessels inside the tooth.
How To Get Rid Of Brown Spots On Teeth
Not all brown spots are the same. Some are surface stains, while others are signs of decay or enamel issues, and each one calls for a different approach.
Here are common treatments:
- Professional cleaning: If tooth stains are external, a professional dental cleaning can remove surface discoloration.
- Fluoride treatments: If weak enamel is contributing to staining, fluoride varnish can help strengthen the tooth surface and prevent further discoloration, but it will not remove existing brown spots.
- Fillings: If a brown spot turns out to be a cavity, the decayed area will be removed and restored with a dental filling that matches the natural color of the tooth.
- Microabrasion: For brown spots caused by enamel hypoplasia or dental fluorosis, gentle microabrasion can smooth and lighten the enamel.
- Teeth whitening (for older kids): If brown spots are caused by surface stains or mild enamel discoloration, professional whitening may help improve their appearance. However, whitening is only suitable for teens that have all of their permanent teeth.
- Dental bonding, dental veneers, or dental crowns: For severe discoloration, your dentist may recommend cosmetic restorative treatments such as bonding, veneers or crowns.
When To Schedule A Dental Visit
Early dental treatment can prevent more serious problems and restore a confident smile. Contact us for an evaluation if you see:
- Sudden or spreading brown discoloration
- Spots that do not brush away
- Any signs of tooth pain or sensitivity
- Spots on new permanent teeth
- Evidence of dental injury or tooth trauma
Schedule a Dental Checkup At Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics
If you are concerned about brown spots on your child’s teeth, our team at Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics can help. We welcome patients with Medicaid at all locations.
Book an appointment at one of our four locations:
📍Denver Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 1400 Grove Street, Denver, CO 80204 | (303) 825-2295
📍Aurora Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 14251 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011 | (303) 343-3133
📍Thornton Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 550 E. Thornton Parkway, Suite 240A, Thornton, CO 80229 | (303) 280-8878📍Hampden Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 7400 East Hampden Ave. Unit C1, Denver, CO 80231 | (720) 826-3694
