A Blog For Mums
I still remember the first time I properly clocked it. A tiny little tooth poking through… and it didn’t look pearly white. It looked a bit creamy. Slightly yellow. And, obviously, my brain went straight to: is this normal, or have I somehow already messed up their teeth?
If you’ve noticed your baby’s first teeth look yellow as they come through, you’re not the only one. And in many cases, it’s not a sign that anything is “wrong”. But there are a few situations where yellow (or yellow patches) are worth getting checked out.
Baby teeth aren’t all the same shade. Some come through a bright milky white, while others look more cream-coloured or slightly yellow. Teeth can also look different depending on lighting (hello, bathroom mirror panic) and whether there’s a bit of milk residue or plaque sitting on the surface.
Also, the enamel layer on baby teeth is thinner than adult teeth, so the underlying tooth material can show through more easily, which can make teeth look less white. That’s one of the reasons “not-quite-white” baby teeth can still be totally normal.
If the whole tooth looks evenly creamy/yellow (not patchy), and the tooth surface looks smooth, it can simply be that your baby’s teeth are naturally that shade. Some babies just don’t get the movie-star white version.
That said, even brand-new teeth can pick up staining on the surface. The most common culprit is plaque (that sticky film that builds up when teeth aren’t brushed properly yet). If plaque or food debris is clinging to the tooth, it can make it look yellowish.
This one is usually fixable with consistent brushing.
There are other possible culprits. If your baby has been on iron drops (or certain iron-containing medicines), they can cause staining on the teeth. It’s often a surface stain rather than something “inside” the tooth, but it can look surprisingly dramatic.
If you think this might be the cause, don’t stop prescribed supplements without speaking to your health visitor, GP or pharmacist. The dentist can also advise how to manage the staining safely.
Sometimes a tooth comes through with enamel that didn’t form perfectly. This can show up as yellow, cream, white, or brown patches, or a tooth that looks a bit rough or pitted. These are often talked about as enamel hypoplasia (thin enamel) or hypomineralisation (enamel that’s less mineralised than it should be).
The important bit isn’t the colour itself, it’s that weaker enamel can make teeth more sensitive and more prone to decay, so it’s worth getting checked.
Early tooth decay is possible too, but not all that likely. Tooth decay in little ones doesn’t always start as a obvious hole. Early decay can show up as white or brown spots, especially near the gumline, and over time those areas can darken.
If what you’re seeing is patchy (rather than an even creamy shade), or you’re noticing spots that seem to be getting worse, that’s a “book a dentist” moment.
There are rarer causes of yellow/greenish colouring linked to illness in early life. One example is hyperbilirubinemia (high bilirubin levels), which can sometimes give teeth a yellow or green hue.
This is not the “most likely” explanation for most mums noticing slightly yellow teeth during teething, but it’s one of the reasons it’s always OK to ask your GP or dentist if you’re worried.
If the tooth is coming through evenly creamy/yellow, the surface looks smooth, your baby seems comfortable (as comfortable as teething allows…), and there are no patches, pits, or obvious marks, it may simply be normal colouring.
Still, you don’t have to guess. A quick look from a dentist can give you peace of mind, and it’s easier to prevent problems than fix them.
The NHS advice is to start brushing as soon as teeth begin to come through, using a baby toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Aim for twice a day, including last thing before bed.
If brushing has been a battle (been there), don’t panic. Even gentle “training” brushing helps your baby get used to it, and you can gradually get more thorough as the weeks go on.
This one sounds obvious, but keep sugary drinks off the menu. Milk and water are the safest drinks for teeth. Sugary drinks (including juice) raise the risk of decay, and decay can start earlier than most of us expect.
If your baby is having formula or milk feeds overnight, it’s still worth chatting with a dentist or health visitor about protecting teeth, especially once multiple teeth are through.
You should book that first dental visit too if you haven’t already. NHS guidance commonly recommends an early first visit, and some NHS trusts explicitly advise having the first dental visit by age one. Even if the dentist just has a quick look and says “all normal”, you’ve set the pattern and you’ve got someone to call if anything changes.
I’d make a dental appointment sooner rather than later if you notice any of these:
It’s also worth remembering NHS dental care is free for children, so you’re not “wasting anyone’s time” by getting it looked at.
Yellow-looking baby teeth aren’t automatically a red flag. Sometimes it’s just natural colouring. But if it’s patchy, getting worse, or the tooth looks like it’s come through with weak enamel, that’s when a dentist is genuinely useful.
And if you’re reading this with your baby asleep on you and you’re doing the classic 2am worry spiral: you’re not alone. Teeth are weird. Babies are weirder. And most of the time, the fix is boringly simple: start brushing early, keep sugars down, and let the dentist be the calm one in the room.
Baby Care
