You brush your child’s teeth twice a day, use a proper toothbrush and toothpaste — and suddenly notice black lines or spots on their teeth. First thought: “Is this decay?”
Most likely, it’s not caries at all, but Priestley’s black stain — a special type of dental plaque common in children. It looks scary, but it’s not dirt, and it doesn’t mean you’re failing at oral hygiene.
What is Priestley’s black stain?
It’s a dense pigmented bacterial layer, usually located near the gum line.
❌ Not caries.
❌ Doesn’t destroy teeth.
✅ Mainly an aesthetic issue.
Why does it appear?
- Specific oral microbiota.
- Genetics (often runs in families).
- Saliva composition.
- Certain foods (iron-rich nutrition may play a role).
Is it dangerous?
No, the stain itself is harmless. But:
- it makes the smile look dirty, which can affect the child’s confidence;
- regular plaque and tartar can accumulate alongside it, increasing the risk of caries.
How to remove it?
You can’t brush it away at home.
The only solution is professional cleaning at the dentist.
It’s painless and takes just a short visit.
Prevention
It cannot be fully prevented, but regular dental check-ups (every 6 months) and hygiene maintenance will keep it under control.
In our clinic
At Kadrioru Plaza Dental Clinic, we explain everything to children in a friendly way and use gentle cleaning methods. The result — a white smile for the child and peace of mind for the parents.
