Extrinsic iron staining in infant teeth from iron-fortified formula and rice cereal.

Extrinsic staining of teeth due to excessive iron intake has been reported previously in the literature. We describe a 7-month-old infant who presented with extrinsic teeth staining due to inadvertent over consumption of dietary iron. The infant was fed iron-fortified formula and rice cereal. Rice cereal, fortified with iron, was being used as part of a normal infant diet and as a thickening agent when added to the formula for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux. After several months of administration, "blackening" of the infant's teeth was noted by the mother. The stain was removed by the pediatric dentist who simply scraped the affected teeth. No further staining occurred after the amount of dietary iron was reduced.