Evaluate enamel surface staining due to iron supplements on primary teeth - An in vitro study

Iron deficiency anemia in children is commonly managed with oral iron supplements, but liquid formulations are often associated with undesirable tooth staining. This in vitro study evaluated enamel discoloration on primary teeth after exposure to ferrous sulfate and iron polymaltose complex. Sixty extracted primary anterior teeth were divided into three groups and immersed daily for 21 days; with color change measured using a spectrophotometer and stereomicroscopy. Ferrous sulfate caused the highest degree of staining (ΔE = 12.6), followed by iron polymaltose (ΔE = 6.3), while controls showed minimal change (ΔE = 1.2). Ferrous sulfate was associated with significantly greater enamel staining, highlighting the need to prefer low-staining formulations to improve pediatric compliance and aesthetics.