Why are my child’s permanent teeth more yellow?

Don’t panic! This is often completely normal.

Answer: Permanent teeth naturally have more dentin underneath the enamel, which gives them a slightly yellow or cream-colored appearance. Baby teeth are naturally whiter, so the difference can look especially noticeable when your child has a mix of baby and permanent teeth.

But sometimes there’s another reason for that yellow color. Plaque or tartar buildup can make teeth look yellow, especially along the gumline. In that case, a professional cleaning can make a big difference!

That’s one reason routine dental checkups are so important. We can determine whether the color you’re seeing is simply the natural color of your child’s permanent teeth or whether there is buildup that needs to be removed.

And if one tooth looks significantly darker than the others or changes color after an injury, be sure to have it checked.

So, yellow permanent teeth? Usually nothing to worry about, but a routine dental visit is the best way to know for sure!