Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

Why Children’s Teeth Can Become Yellow or Stained: A Guide for Glen Iris Parents

Many Glen Iris parents are surprised to discover that stained or yellowing teeth don’t just happen to adults — they can appear in young children and even babies. Understanding why this happens can help you protect your child’s developing smile.

Normal Baby Tooth Colour

Baby (primary) teeth are typically a soft off-white or ivory shade, and slight colour variations are normal. However, noticeable yellowing or discoloration is often caused by inadequate brushing or early tooth decay.

Just like adults, children need their teeth brushed twice a day, including after meals when possible. Without good brushing habits, plaque and cavity-causing bacteria can quickly build up.

White Spots or Streaks? It May Be Fluorosis

If you notice faint white streaks or chalky spots on your child’s teeth, this may be fluorosis — a harmless cosmetic condition caused by too much fluoride exposure early in life.

How to Prevent Fluorosis

  • Use only a rice-grain–sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children under 3

  • Ensure children don’t swallow toothpaste

  • Be aware that most Melbourne water supplies, including Glen Iris, already contain fluoride

Fluoride is essential for keeping children’s teeth cavity-free by promoting re-mineralisation, so don’t cut it out entirely. If you’re unsure how much fluoride your child needs, speak to Dr Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry.

Illness, Infection, and Medications

Several medical factors can influence tooth colour during early childhood development:

  • Jaundice after birth can cause a greenish tint to teeth

  • Infant infections may lead to darker discolouration

  • Medications, such as iron supplements or certain antibiotics, may cause visible staining

If you notice unusual colours — brown, grey, green, or dark spots — it’s worth having your child examined.

When Should Babies See a Dentist?

Babies should have their first dental visit before their 1st birthday, or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting. Early visits help establish healthy habits, detect problems sooner, and give parents confidence about caring for their child’s smile.

If you’re worried about discolouration or anything unusual, the team at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris is here to help. 👉Call or book online Tooronga Family Dentistry on (03) 9822 7006 so we schedule your child’s appointment.

Good Oral Hygiene – Ways to Teach Young Kids to Brush

To keep your kids teeth healthy it’s important to set them up with smart, healthy habits while they’re young. Here are great tricks to help them master tooth brushing:

1.) Show and tell. Many young children are visual learners, so make sure you personally demonstrate healthy routines you want them to learn. Participate as often as you can.

2.) Use books and stories. Make sure kids know why good oral hygiene is important. There are many storybooks and online activities that can teach kids about germs and bacteria, and how brushing can keep them healthy. There are even smartphone apps to help teach about hygiene and track their efforts.

3.) Positive reinforcement. Keep a chart and reward your kids with star stickers every time they properly demonstrate good oral hygiene. Incentivize them further by offering a reward when they collect a certain number of stickers.

4.) Make it a song.  Tooth brushing should last at least 2 minutes. Find a song that’s this length to play while your kids are brushing, or use a bathroom timer.

5.) Make it fun. There are a lot of ways you can make hygiene fun for kids. Buy them  toothpaste and toothbrushes with their favourite character or fragrance. Try fun activities like doing dances while brushing can make it hilarious.

6.) Stick to routines. Kids thrive on routines. By setting strict morning, night-time routines, good oral hygiene will eventually become an automatic response.

Have fun while brushing. For more ideas please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

When to start correcting the position of the teeth?

Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children

Children and parents often visit Dr. Kaufman when the first permanent teeth erupt. The most common concern is that the new teeth appear twisted or crowded. This stage typically begins around age six, and it is recommended that every child see Dr. Kaufman by the age of seven for an early orthodontic evaluation.

The Importance of Monitoring the Transition from Baby Teeth to Permanent Teeth

The transition from baby teeth (primary teeth) to permanent teeth is a critical milestone in a child’s dental development. Careful monitoring during this stage ensures that teeth and jaws develop in proper balance.

Early assessment helps identify issues such as:

  • Missing permanent teeth

  • Crowding or spacing problems

  • Misaligned jaw growth or bite discrepancies

  • Uneven relationship between tooth and jaw size

These developmental discrepancies can affect long-term oral health, occlusion, and facial growth. The good news is that they can be diagnosed early and managed with a personalised treatment plan to guide proper development.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

An early start provides many advantages, allowing Dr. Kaufman to:

  • Guide the eruption of permanent teeth into their correct position

  • Utilise natural growth of the face and jaws to improve alignment

  • Prevent more severe orthodontic issues in adolescence

  • Reduce or shorten the duration of future orthodontic treatment

Long-Term Goals

Our goal is to help children develop a healthy, confident smile that supports their overall growth and self-esteem. Early evaluation paves the way for easier orthodontic care later in life and leads to lasting, balanced dental health.

Book an early orthodontic consultation with Dr. Kaufman to assess your child’s dental development and create a tailored plan for a great smile and future confidence.

My child has “shark teeth”, what should I do?

Shark Teeth in Children: Why It Happens and What to Do

As parents, we all want our children to grow up with healthy, straight, and beautiful smiles. However, sometimes when permanent teeth begin to erupt, the baby teeth do not fall out as expected. This can create two visible rows of teeth, a condition commonly known as “shark teeth.”

When permanent teeth replace baby teeth naturally, the root of the baby tooth dissolves as the adult tooth erupts underneath. This process loosens the baby tooth, allowing it to fall out easily. However, if the root does not dissolve properly, the baby tooth remains in place, forcing the permanent tooth to erupt behind it or in an incorrect position.

This situation often affects the front lower teeth but can occur in other areas as well and usually requires prompt dental attention.

Why Baby Teeth Sometimes Don’t Fall Out

There are several reasons why a baby tooth might not fall out on time:

  • The permanent tooth has deviated from the correct eruption path

  • The root of the baby tooth has not dissolved fully

  • The baby tooth is fused to the bone or misaligned

  • Genetic or spacing issues affecting tooth development

When the permanent tooth grows into the wrong position, it can sometimes become trapped between other teeth, ma

king the misalignment permanent if untreated.

Treatment for Shark Teeth

In many cases, the best solution is to remove the baby tooth to allow the permanent tooth to slowly move into its correct place. Early intervention helps prevent crowding, misalignment, and later orthodontic complications.

If you notice your child developing “shark teeth,” it’s important not to wait for them to resolve on their own. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Kaufman as soon as possible for an evaluation and advice on next steps. Early treatment ensures that your child’s permanent teeth erupt into proper alignment and maintain a healthy, confident smile.

You can book an appointment here. Dr. Kaufman will examine your child’s teeth and explain the best treatment options to ensure their smile develops naturally and beautifully.