Richard Stockton Hoadley, DDS

A small quantity shouldn't hurt anything.

Get your son an appointment to see your hygienist. They are highly skilled at controlling both gum problems and decay. Premature loss of primary teeth, will cause Orthodontic problems.

Teeth tend to darken with time. They can be brightened by bleaching. This can be done at home or in the office. Existing crowns and dark fillings don't bleach. You may need to have some work replaced, to get the look you want. If you are planning dental work on your upper front teeth, and you want them bleached, plan on waiting at least six weeks after the bleaching is complete. This allows the teeth to achieve the final color.

Talk with his hygienist. Plaque accumulation is the normal cause. If this doesn't seem to be the case, he must be checked for a systemic cause by his physician. 8-year-olds are not notorious for brushing skill. I remember as a child, I would wet my toothbrush and hang its up, so my mother thought I was brushing. Watch him brush, use only a small amount of tooth paste, so you can see what is going on. Use a very soft brush and use the tips of the bristles. Use a circular pattern partially on the gums. Help with the brushing. At first you may get bleeding, because the gums have gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) from plaque accumulation. As the plaque is reduced, the inflammation will decrease and the bleeding will stop. Make sure to keep on schedule with Recare visits every six months.

Make sure you are following your hygienist's advice. If no oral cause can be found, you might need to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist.