Tooth Discoloration?

Hi all....I read these forums a lot but never post....I have a 2 year old daughter, very healthy and as normal as a bratty 2 year old can be. Today I was in the bathroom and we were brushing our teeth, and I happened to notice that one of her front teeth has a gray tinge to it. Nothing major, but noticable to me. I was wondering what this could be? She just had a doctors appointment less than a month ago and everything, teeth included, checked out fine. I rarely give her sugar and I just can't stop feeling like her tooth is dying or something because of something I may have done wrong? Is it possible to have a tooth discolor because she fell and bumped it? Because she is definetly a major klutz! Haha...well I appreciate anyone who could respond, I am having a major attack of mommy guilt! Thanks all!

[TonyaB]

I went through something like this last fall with my little guy.  He had some almost brown color staining on the back of his bottom front teeth.  I was so worried he had cavities but wondering how that would happen as we brush his teeth EVERY night, he rarely ever has sugar and we give him fluoride drops.  We took him to a pediatric dentist who said the staining is nothing to worry about and they could actually remove it very easily.  Our pediatrician said it is also caused from the fluoride drops, not too much fluoride, just a result of the fluoride drops.  I'm not sure if that is what's happening with your daughter but it may not hurt to have it checked out just in case she did injure herself in someway.

[Trialanderror]

I think you`re on the right track. Did your daughter bump that tooth since your doctors appointment last month? It is just striking that only one tooth would be affected and a greyish color could mean that the pulp of the tooth got traumatized. I am not sure if that is something that disappears just like a bruise but a visit to the dentist might clarify. I don`t think it would be a result of certain antibiotics during pregnancy or overfluoridation as those would rather show all over either brownish or initially in white specs. And even if the enamel of a single tooth is deficient it would be rather brownish or yellow than grey. Don`t get that mommy guilt...it is great that you noticed the discoloration to begin with.

[Me2mommy2b]

If it's only one tooth and it's progressively getting darker, most likely she bumped it on something and damaged the pulp.  I would def look closely after the tooth and a visit to the dentist would not hurt so he can take an xray and shine more light on the situation.  Don't feel guilty, you're doing great.  Small kids do things that we can't control (i.e., falling :)

[ImmortalOne]

My eldest DD has a tooth that has been discolored since it came in (its an adult tooth).  We were told it was that way because of Anti-biotics I was on and she was on before and after she was born and that it effected the color of the tooth but wasn't any cause for concern.  

[pertykitty]

you can visit a dentist and make sure, but it really sounds like she may have bumped it at some point and the tooth is dying.  not a big deal most of the time, and as long as it stays put till she loses it you wont have problems with space.  my poor son has his permenant molars that are brown, due to high fevers he had as a baby.  the worry never ends does it lol

[adrianas_mama]

Thanks, all! I have been having non stop guilt since I noticed and it makes me feel a LOT better to have some idea of even what it possibly could be! I am going to make her a dentist appointment ASAP...although it shall be interesting, this kid is SO very anti-doctor....lol She flips out when strangers try to hold or touch her. Which could be good later down the line lol but as of now it's embarassing and difficult...ugh! But she is a major klutz, like I said....she never watches where she is going and we have hardwood floors so she's had a few split lips...I feel terrible! I don't think the guilt ever will stop....OY! lol But thanks for the replies!