Paediatric dentistry: tetracycline staining: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Dentistry · Paediatric dentistry: tetracycline staining

Sample item

Which antibiotic is avoided in pregnancy and in children under 8 years because it permanently discolours developing teeth?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Tetracycline

Tetracyclines chelate calcium and are incorporated into developing teeth and bone, causing yellow-brown banded discolouration that fluoresces under ultraviolet light.

Option by option

  • A. Amoxicillin

    Amoxicillin does not stain teeth.

  • B. Cefixime

    Cefixime is not associated with tooth staining.

  • C. Tetracycline (correct)

    Correct. Tetracycline stains developing teeth.

  • D. Azithromycin

    Azithromycin is not associated with intrinsic staining.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Tetracycline. Tetracyclines chelate calcium and are incorporated into developing teeth and bone, causing yellow-brown banded discolouration that fluoresces under ultraviolet light.

Why is "Amoxicillin" not the answer?

Amoxicillin does not stain teeth.

Why is "Cefixime" not the answer?

Cefixime is not associated with tooth staining.

Why is "Azithromycin" not the answer?

Azithromycin is not associated with intrinsic staining.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric dentistry: tetracycline staining in Dentistry. The correct option holds because: Correct. Tetracycline stains developing teeth.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric dentistry: tetracycline staining?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.