Tetracycline, an antibiotic which can be easily identified by its colour, red and yellow is used for treating a variety of infections. However, it has been implicated in the permanent staining of the teeth. When Tetracycline is taken by a pregnant woman or given to a child below the age of 8 years, it can cause the grayish to yellowish staining of the child’s teeth. This stain could range from mild, moderate to severe but is usually permanent.
The teeth discolouration often affects the individual’s psychological and social well-being as people who have tetracycline stains are often withdrawn and have a very low self esteem; this is because they do not want to reveal their unsightly teeth. Such people often find it difficult to laugh or smile in public.
Tetracycline stains are a common occurrence in this environment as the drug is mostly abused by people who have diarrhoea (running a stool). The drug is usually gotten over the counter without a doctor’s prescription.
Tetracycline capsule is not a harmful drug on its own; however, it has to be used appropriately.
Treatment
Unlike extrinsic stains caused by tea, coffee, tobacco that can be removed by professional cleaning, tetracycline stains cannot be removed. Although the teeth can be bleached professionally by a dentist, the best form of treatment is the use of veneers(thin shells of dental material) to cover the outer surfaces of the teeth or full crowns to cover the whole tooth.
Prevention
Preventing tetracycline stains is mainly by educating the pregnant/breastfeeding mothers on the consequences of taking tetracycline and also avoiding its use in children until the child is above 8 years. It is also important that the pregnant woman informs the doctor of her condition to avoid being given the drug while pregnant.
Photo credit:oralanswers