AboutStephen 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.
Question My 21 month old toddler has a thin, brownish yellow line across her front upper teeth. I have tried to brush, scrape and cannot get it off. I have brushed her teeth from a very early age and she almost always has a toothbrush in her mouth when in the bathroom with brothers or parent. She has never been on a bottle. She does, however, love juice. And although we try to limit her intake, I really feel that she drinks more than she should. I don't know what this is and would love some advice. She has not been to the dentist, but maybe that should be next. Thank you for your help.
Answer dear Tara,
to hard to answer your question at this distance, without knowing the position of the line , its width, how many teeth it is on, whether its on the outside of the teeth or inside them,
etc. just cant make a diagnosis.
I can tell you that there is nothing to worry about other than esthetics, and this is in your eyes not your toddler who wont be thinking about such social problems until just about the time the teeth are getting ready to fall out.
If the stain is external it will come off with a little dish detergent on a dry 2X2 gauze, if its internal its just a developmental condition with no long term consequences relating to the permanent teeth. These developmental lines are quite common on primary teeth.
The orange juice has nothing to do with the condition, and there is no need to do anything but keep the teeth clean , gently twice a day.
all the best,
Dr. Moss
