Brown & Black Stains and Cavities on Kids' Teeth — 3 Things to Prevent Them

Dr. Sandip Gupta

Children often get brown or black coloured stains on their teeth, or develop cavities. This video explains 3 things parents must keep in mind to prevent this. Point 1 — Bottle feeding at night. Many children drink milk at bedtime and take a feed from a bottle. When milk is taken from a bottle, a layer of milk coats the teeth, bacteria grow there and damage the tooth, causing different kinds of stains and cavities. It is recommended that the child drinks from a katori (bowl) or a glass. If you are feeding with a bottle because the child only drinks from a bottle, remove the bottle after feeding and clean the child's teeth using a cloth wrapped around your finger. Point 2 — After eating something sweet. Whenever the child eats something sweet, give the child some water afterwards and then clean the child's teeth again. Point 3 — Do not feed the child your jhoota (leftover/shared food). Many times parents feed the child food from their own mouth or plate. Doing this transfers the bacteria present in adults' mouths into the child's mouth, and that also increases the chances of cavities forming. Relevant for: parents whose child has brown or black stains, discoloured teeth, tooth decay or cavities; parents whose child drinks milk from a bottle at night or falls asleep while feeding; parents asking how to clean a baby's or toddler's teeth without a toothbrush; parents wanting to know what to do after the child eats sweets; and parents who share their own food or spoon with their child and want to know if it is safe. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist if your child already has stains, cavities, tooth pain, or any dental problem.