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Dentistry/Toddler Teeth

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Expert: - 10/1/2007


Question
Yesterday I noticed a black line on the gumline on the back of one of my 18 month old's front teeth? Is this baby bottle syndrome or something different? There is nothing on her tooth, just on the gum? Should I take her to see a dentist?

Answer
Dear Shellie,
A routine visit to a pediatric dentist during the next year or so is a pretty good idea, but not to look at the black line which is normal and beneficial.
Don't worry about the black line, it doesn't look good but it is not dangerous and only indicates that your daughter is highly resistant to cavities.
The line is healthy material that comes from her saliva.  It continues to form in some children (5%) until they start getting their permanent teeth. Only lucky children have it.
I have never seen one child with black stain ever get a cavity.
Its hard to remove so don't knock yourself out trying , a dentist can do it but I would recommend removal  only in the areas where it is not esthetic.
All the best,
Dr. Moss

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Stephen J. Moss

Expertise

I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.

Experience

Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.

Organizations
I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center

Publications
lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India

Education/Credentials
I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.

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