Dark Tooth

One of my toddlers teeth is changing color, is the tooth dead?

No, the tooth isn’t dead. Parents often express concern because one of their toddler’s teeth has darkened in color. It is a very common thing to see a dark baby tooth because kids are bumping their teeth all the time. That is why they call them toddlers! The color change generally happens two to three weeks after an accident. It's usually a grayish color, sometimes turning almost black and even often lightening back up. Whether the tooth turns dark or not doesn't always depend on the severity of the injury. If it doesn't turn dark after a month, generally you won't have any further problems. It will likely lighten back up. If it doesn't, there still may be no treatment needed other than observation.

If your child does have an accident and bumps their tooth it is always a good idea to have it checked by your dentist rather than waiting for a color change to occur. By doing so, even if nothing is wrong at the time your dentist will have a baseline to go from if the health of the tooth changes in the future. Rarely, a baby tooth that has been traumatized will abscess and need removal. The primary concern is the protection of the health of the developing permanent tooth and not allowing any infection to spread.

Independent Brushing

My toddler wants to brush her own teeth, what do I do?

There is one very important point to be made here. No matter how talented your toddler is, they cannot EFFECTIVELY brush their teeth by themselves. Children don’t develop the muscular control and skill required for good brushing until sometime between the ages of 5 and 7. Until then they need your physical help each and every time.

That being said, start with your toddler modeling you as you brush your teeth. At this stage of the game most little ones want be just like mommy and daddy. Give your toddler their own toothbrush dampened with water and just a touch of toothpaste. They will do more sucking than brushing so reserve that small pea sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste for the time that you are actually doing the cleaning. Using a team approach is a win for both of you. Decide with your toddler if they are going to brush first or second. This gives them the freedom to choose and you the control of a thorough brushing.

A good way to get all of the tooth surfaces clean is the “AAHHSS” and the “EEEES” method. Have your toddler open wide and say “AAHHHHH” to get the top surfaces and insides of the teeth. To brush the sides of the teeth ask your toddler to bite together and say “EEEEEEE”. This loosens up the cheek musculature and allows you effectively clean the outsides of the teeth.

Now for the fun part! Perhaps your toddler wants nothing to do with you brushing their teeth. I remember my oldest daughter, Olivia often (actually quite often) having a fit at brushing time. I was a tired young mother trying to talk her into opening her mouth. Well that got me zippo and so yes, I would hold her down to brush and yes we both survived.

As a professional I understood that the mouth is a personal space. As a mom all I wanted was to avoid a battle with my daughter. What I believe and what I tell parents is all you can do is your best. You know that you love your child. You know that brushing in the morning and evening is important. However, you get to pick your battles and if you miss a night of brushing once in awhile it won’t be the end of the world.

I promise both you and your child will make it though this challenge. I like the analogy of putting an uncooperative toddler in a car seat. Just because they don’t want to do it doesn’t mean you don’t give them a gentle push and buckle them up! Remember, I had a very strong willed toddler and brushing was a battle. She is now 14, brushes her teeth regularly and is not traumatized by “my mommy loves you method!” Happy Brushing!