My daughter had an accident that turned her tooth gray. The dentist wants me to leave it alone because he thinks it will fall out in a year or so. I don’t want her made fun of by the other children. Can’t I whiten it? My dentist thinks I’m a little over the top.
Beth Q. – L.A., California
Beth,
I know appearances are a big deal in LA, but in this case I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Most preschoolers are more interested in having fun with their friends than what the appearance is. If you daughter was in later elementary onward, it might be a different story.
The truth is in your daughter’s situation, teeth whitening won’t work. So, it’s not even an option.
The key will be not making it into a big deal. If you don’t act like there is anything wrong with the tooth, she won’t feel uncomfortable. Then, in about a year, it will fall out and she can start fresh with a nice adult tooth.
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