[2forus]

Recently I noticed that my ds gums seem to be more brown than pink. Does anyone else have a child with brown gums? I was just trying to figure out if it's a pigment issue or if we need to get ds into the dentist (hmm didn't think we would do that until he was closer to 3 thus he's not on our dental thus I didn't immediately make an apt.) DD has pinker gums but she has a lighter complection than ds. We're very religious about brushing teeth twice a day. I also wonder if he could be irritating his gums by chewing on his toothbrush (they are 2). Thanks for any input.

[drjeanne]

Kim,
I'm a dentist and without looking I'd say not to worry! Gum color is related to ethnicity. My daughter's gums are darker and browner than mine too. There's nothing unhealthy about it. I'm sure your son is fine. That said I'd also like to encourage you to go ahead and take your son to a dentist if you can. Children actually need to start seeing a dentist when their primary teeth are in. The dentist may not do anything but look but, at least he's being looked at and getting used to going to the dentist at the same time so he's not nervous about it in the future.

Best of luck!
Jeanne