Spots on Canine Teeth

[Monochrome Ape]

I am concerned about some imperfections on my four year old daughter's canine teeth. She has one bright white spot on each tooth with a dull yellow spot in the center of each white spot on both of her canine teeth.

She was examined approximately one month ago by a dentist, who did not find any problems with her teeth at all. I, myself, have never noticed these spots until today so I don't think they have been there very long. I have her brush in the mornings an evenings and then I re-brush her teeth after she has done it (she still misses some spots). She gets flouride mouthwash in the evenings but has never had flouride treatment at the dentist. Any ideas about what this may be?

[Zzzdentist]

I just had a concerned parent ask about the exact same thing a week or so ago. It's most likely an enamel developmental defect which has resulted in a patch of imperfect enamel on the surface. For whatever reason (illness, change in diet, genetic issue), the cells that form the enamel were temporarily glitched at the point in time where that part of the tooth was being formed.

It's most likely nothing to worry about or else your dentist would have mentioned something. As long as you are helping to keep the area clean through brushing, these spots usually can be simply observed for any signs of breakdown, and if that occurs, a simply filling can be done. The spots usually look worse than they really are, but generally the lack of enamel in the area reveals the underlying colour of the dentin which is a much more yellow colour that makes it stand out.

[whistlinghill]

i would think for a 4 year old child, daily fluoride is a little too excessive. There's fluoride is everyday water, from tap to boxed drinks and even in our food. If she has EXCESS fluoride, she will develop enamel fluorosis later on, especially when her permanent teeth starts to grow out. Common signs of fluorosis is chalky white spots on the teeth, and severe cases will be represented by brown spots.

[thornhilldentist]

This is an imperfection in tooth development called hypocalcification. The tooth is healthy and is only an esthetic issue. In most cases, a little bonding can fix this blemish if esthetics is a concern.