At what age range was tetracycline ingested, leading to permanent dentition staining?

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that, when ingested by children during certain critical periods of dental development, can lead to permanent staining of the teeth. The most susceptible period for this staining to occur is during the development of the permanent dentition, which generally takes place from birth until around 6 years of age.

From birth to 2 years, primary teeth are developing, and while they can also be affected, it is primarily during the period of 0 to 5 years when both primary and early permanent teeth are forming. During this time, if tetracycline is ingested, it can deposit in the teeth as they develop, leading to mottled enamel or discoloration. By encompassing the ages of 0 to 5 years, it captures the complete spectrum of this critical developmental phase.

While the influence diminishes as the child ages beyond five, the presence of permanent teeth begins around that age, which further solidifies the importance of this period in relation to tetracycline staining. Thus, the age range of 0 to 5 years is crucial for understanding when tetracycline can have lasting effects on dental health.