People are prone to worry about the physical appearance of their teeth, and sometimes parents worry unnecessarily if their children’s teeth appear discolored. One common reason for this is Nasmyth’s membrane. But, it is nothing to worry about, says Dr. Mark J. Warner DDS, who owns Mark Warner DDS General Dentistry in Fairfield, California.
When our teeth are forming inside our jaws, they are covered by a layer of protein which is actually a simple membrane. It’s called Nasmyth’s membrane, named after the Scottish surgeon who discovered it, Alexander Nasmyth, who was born in the 1800s.
When children get their baby teeth, they are covered in this membrane, although most people do not notice it. It is the primary enamel cuticle, and consists of two layers which are both extremely thin. Both layers cover the entire crown of teeth that have just erupted through the gums. When children begin to chew, it eventually falls off.
In some cases, however, the cuticle remains as a type of stain, and may make the teeth look somewhat discolored. This can happen for a variety of reasons, only one of which may be the fact that the child is not brushing his teeth sufficiently enough to make the membrane wear away.
When this happens, the stain will appear on the child’s teeth as slightly greenish in color. Part of the reason for this is that the remnants of the membrane will attract accumulated food debris. The membrane is fibrous, and therefore can easily pick up color from the food we eat.
Treatment
Treatment for the removal of the discoloration is fairly simple. You will need first to talk to your dentist and ascertain whether the discoloration or stain is really due to the Nasmyth’s membrane. If so, usually the teeth can simply be brushed properly over a period of time. That, combined with normal chewing usually makes the stain disappear.
If not, you can opt to have the teeth cleaned by a professional cleaning process, which will also remove the remnants. If this does not work, although it usually does, the child can opt for tooth whitening when he is older. Not many people would want a greenish stain on their teeth. And if it does not go away, it is a good idea to do something about it before your child starts to get teased, or becomes self-conscious about his smile.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
