Tooth Staining as a result of long-term ABX

[coco]

For those of our kids who have been on long-term abx you may want to check your child's teeth (or maybe we are just the only lucky family) for teeth staining, and browning or yellowing along the gum line and especially behind the teeth. My dd has been on abx for 5 months now and she has always been a really good tooth brusher, no cavities at age 10, and just a few weeks ago when I made my once-in-a while tooth inspection I noticed this staining that looked like the brown sediment you'd find at the bottom of an apple cider container!!! And it was not coming off!!! One of her baby teeth fell out last week and it looked like a pirate tooth. The dentist was able to remove almost all of it after 45 minutes and will finish up in a couple of weeks, but he said that all those abx alters the bacteria in the body and the saliva's composition has changed and staining occurs. It's not just from the "cycline abx" that this can occur. It's rare, but she now has to have her teeth professionally cleaned once a quarter as long as she's on the abx. Just thought you might want to check you children's teeth up close, just in case.

 

coco

[tantrums]

I was actually thinking of asking here about this. My younger brother was a chronic ear infection kid - always on amoxi - and has the cruddiest teeth from it. Now my DS is on amoxi for 2 months and it seems to be helping. He already has discoloration to his teeth ( an odd whitish/clearish marking ) that the dentist feels is from being on so many oral steroids for RAD when he was very small. So I am aware already that the amoxi can potentially discolor the teeth even further.

 

One thing we have been doing is making sure he brushes after taking the amoxi. Did your dentist suggest anything else? I'm wondering if my DS can take pills yet rather than the liquid and if that would be better. I will call our dentist and ask about having more frequent cleanings as well.

[coco]

The dentist had the hygenist apply that "paint on" protective coating/fluoride. We were so happy that there was no permanent staining, and still no cavities, but it took quite a bit of scratching with that pick-like instrument after many abrasive passes with that spin brush to remove. It's much better to keep up with with it over time rather than letting it build up. The dentist said that it may well be the clavulanate potassium in the augmentin moreso than the azithro. I'm just glad her pearly whites are back again!!!

[tantrums]

I sure hope your DD likes her dentist as much as my DS loves his! Sounds like they will be spending a lot of time together. I drive quite a distance out of the way to our ped dentist. Every time the appointment is coming up, I think "I really should find someone closer to home". Then when we are there, I realize they are well worth it. He is just wonderful and my son LOVES him! that is one thing I don't have to fear, even with PANDAS. He asks when he CAN go see the dentist again! LOL!

 

I would assume though that insurance won't cover the extra cleanings? I can manage that expense though. Sure will be less in the long run that fixing the damage later in life.

[faith]

coco

so you say the teeth were able to be cleaned effectively, it was not staining?

 

I kind of feel my son's teeth are what you say, yellowy and look dirty up by the gumline,... his two front teeth, you can actually see the top half near the gumline look darker. we tried recently to have him scrub it better and use baking soda. I even gave him a little hydrogen peroxide in a glass to swoosh around in his mouth. it helped a little, but not totally. ..... Can this be removed or is it stained permanently? would you know what/how they got it cleaned. we have a standing appt. end of the week. Usually I have always declined the flouride treatment because of my son's tics (just to be on the safe side in case this could contribute), was that the painted on thing you mentioned?

 

we've only done about two months of abx, so don't know if his teeth are from that or he's just a lousy brusher.

 

 

thanks

Faith

[coco]

Hi Faith - her teeth were stained as a result of the abx. "Stained" meaning not coming off with regular brushing, and there was a lot of it seemingly quickly. This was definitely very obvious to see as abnormal for my daughter. I am sure your dentist will know what to do if it's abx staining. Good luck!

[Joan Pandas Mom]

The dentist had the hygenist apply that "paint on" protective coating/fluoride. We were so happy that there was no permanent staining, and still no cavities, but it took quite a bit of scratching with that pick-like instrument after many abrasive passes with that spin brush to remove. It's much better to keep up with with it over time rather than letting it build up. The dentist said that it may well be the clavulanate potassium in the augmentin moreso than the azithro. I'm just glad her pearly whites are back again!!!

 

Thanks Coco good advice.

[pixiesmommy]

Pixie's are like this too. It looks like brown build-up. Well, brown-ish yellow. She has gotten it from other meds as well (back when we were doing Claritin, for instance) and it does come off at the dentist with some work, but I would keep on top of it if you notice it. I wish Pixie would use a spin-brush at home, but she won't now due to sensory issues.

[smartyjones]

we've only done about two months of abx, so don't know if his teeth are from that or he's just a lousy brusher.

 

thanks

Faith

 

 

faith - i do believe it can come from fairly short-term abx use. my son was on abx for 30 days each last feb and may. i noticed the stains sometime in the summer - after he was off the abx. it came off at the dentist with a normal cleaning - a little more scrubbing from them but no special treatments - that appt was probably sept. the hygenist said she didn't think it would come from usual dose of abx of 10 days or so but definitely believed over a month could do it.