But does not doing flouride cause yellow teeth?

[Mama Soltera]

I have a kid I did the flouride with who has white teeth and no apparent issues (the older one) and then I have the younger one who has all the adult teeth coming in yellow. Same diet (and nothing there that could cause yellow teeth anyway), same dental hygiene, but I didn't do the flouride. I'm getting tempted to do it and a little worried about tooth health without it.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by Mama Soltera

I have a kid I did the flouride with who has white teeth and no apparent issues (the older one) and then I have the younger one who has all the adult teeth coming in yellow. Same diet (and nothing there that could cause yellow teeth anyway), same dental hygiene, but I didn't do the flouride. I'm getting tempted to do it and a little worried about tooth health without it.

I did fluoride with my oldest, and her first adult tooth is coming in slightly more yellow than her baby teeth. I have no idea why. She eats well.

[crunchy_mommy]

I had lots of fluoride growing up (toothpaste, frequent treatments, not in our water though), and my teeth have always had a yellowish tint. I kind of think it has more to do with genetics. I also suspect (but have nothing to back this up) that yellowish teeth are stronger/less cavity-prone than super white teeth...

[ZoeyZoo]

I think my teeth are actually more white since going off flouride.

Has the younger kid had any medications? Certain medications, even taked for a short period of time, can change tooth color.

[3 little birds]

My dentist told me that permanent teeth ARE less white than baby teeth, but of course that doesn't explain the difference between your dc.

[mama1803]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy

I had lots of fluoride growing up (toothpaste, frequent treatments, not in our water though), and my teeth have always had a yellowish tint. I kind of think it has more to do with genetics. I also suspect (but have nothing to back this up) that yellowish teeth are stronger/less cavity-prone than super white teeth...

Same here. I was told that genetics was the factor in why my teeth are yellow. It's the tissue under the enamel that is yellow so it cannot be brushed or bleached away. I've always used fluoride toothpaste and had regular fluoride treatments as a kid and my permanent teeth have always had a yellowish cast. Bleaching treatments I've done in the past had absolutely no effect on the color. But my teeth have always been healthy, one cavity only in my lifetime and that occured when I was 30 years old.

I've noticed the same with my ds. He is 7 and has lost 3 teeth so far. His baby teeth are pearly white and his permanent teeth are much yellower than the baby teeth.

[Mama Soltera]

Thank you for responding everyone.

Originally Posted by ZoeyZoo

Has the younger kid had any medications? Certain medications, even taked for a short period of time, can change tooth color.

Nope. Not even once. I have to say too that bad breath is also an issue (which is not true with my older one). I guess it's those two things together that worry me and make me tempted to do flouride.

[californiajenn]

The bad breath has nothing to do with flouride. He very likely has a bacterial imbalance. Check out the allergies thread if you want to learn more.

Oh, and I had flouride all my life and my teeth came in very yellow. Diet changes and an OTC bleaching kit made them look much better.