Many parents attribute their children’s dental caries to the use of iron drops prescribed by a pediatrician at 4-6 months of age. Here, we first briefly discuss the importance of iron in children’s health and its effect on teeth.
As an essential component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, iron has a significant role in providing the oxygen required by the cell. Besides, it has a vital role in the proper function of the immune system. Usually, large amounts of iron are necessary for the rapid growth of neonates and toddlers. The amount of iron in mothers’ milk is adequate for infants up to 4-6 months of age, after which iron-containing supplements, the most common of which is iron drops, are prescribed by pediatricians to provide the body requirement of iron.
Iron is found in red meat, eggs, fish, beans, lentils, and some vegetables. The foodstuff above and the iron supplements prescribed by physicians can provide the iron required by a child’s body.
Iron deficiency during infancy and childhood leads to behavioral and cognitive problems and decreased motor function. Iron deficiency in infants can lead to growth retardation, decreased body resistance to diseases, premature fatigue, and anorexia. Besides, iron deficiency results in iron-deficiency anemia, clinically characterized by weakness, tiredness, pallor, and numbness and a burning sensation in the hands and feet.
The Effect of Iron Drops on Dental Caries
Several studies have shown that iron drops do not cause dental caries; instead, they prevent dental caries to some extent. The most important complication of iron drops on tooth surfaces is tooth discoloration in the form of dark brown to black lines. Iron drops contain a coloring iron that precipitates on the fissures and porosities on the tooth surface after dissolution in the saliva, resulting in tooth discoloration. Unfortunately, some parents wrongly believe that iron drops have destroyed their children’s teeth. However, adequate evidence is not available to support this belief, and only tooth discoloration after using iron drops has been documented.
Instructions to decrease tooth discoloration by iron drops:
- To decrease the direct contact between the iron drops and tooth surfaces, it is better to deliver these drops to the most posterior part of the mouth with a dropper so that it can immediately be swallowed without the child keeping it in his/her mouth.
- After giving the child the iron drops, some water should be given to the child to clean his/her mouth.
- A clean, wet piece of cloth can be used to clean the child’s teeth.
- It is possible to dilute iron drops with apple or orange juice to decrease their staining capacity. In addition, vitamin C in orange juice accelerates iron uptake.
- Never dilute iron drops with milk because milk interferes with iron uptake.
Treating Tooth Discoloration due to Iron drops
In mild cases of tooth discoloration, no treatment is necessary. However, in severe cases of discoloration, consultation with a pedodontist is recommended.
Never use bleaching toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other over-the-counter products available in pharmacies to bleach your children’s teeth because these products have been formulated for adults and are not suitable for children.
