There are a variety of reasons why one or several teeth will turn or have turned gray. There are also a variety of ways to lighten their look. Many gray teeth are not cause for concern, just a cosmetic fault. Some gray teeth, however, do indicate a problem, and should be seen by a cosmetic dentist. This would usually a new occurrence, and it may have followed a trauma to the tooth. Some of the reasons a tooth may turn gray are listed here:
Fluorosis and tetracycline staining
Not commonly found in North America, fluorosis is more often present in regions with naturally occurring fluoride in the water. While fluoride is generally associated with dental health, too much of this good thing can cause the teeth to mottle. In North America, the fluoridation process is closely monitored and in is nowhere near levels that cause problems.
With tetracycline staining, this can happen when expectant mothers use tetracycline during their pregnancy, or when young children need to use tetracycline to ward off an infection. This can be caused by all member of the tetracycline family of pharmaceuticals.
Decay and fillings
Decay can lead to the appearance of gray teeth, also. Because decay eats a hole in the tooth, the appearance of that hole through the healthy parts of that tooth may appear gray. Removing the decay and repairing the tooth will remedy that problem. Older metal fillings can, over time, leach their color into the tooth and give it a gray cast.
This does not mean that the filling is breaking down, it is simply a side effect of the filling material. Removing the metal filling and replacing with a tooth colored composite will help, but may not fully alleviate the issue. A crown placed on the tooth can change the appearance altogether.
Trauma
Because every tooth has its own blood supply, trauma to the tooth can cause a rupture of that blood supply. When the blood hemorrhages, is seeps into the pores of the tooth over time and gives it a gray appearance. This signals the need for a root canal, if pain hasn't already brought the patient in. Gray teeth can sometimes be lightened with whitened using tooth whitening procedures, but not always.
The guaranteed way to lighten gray teeth is to have crowns or veneers placed on them. If you would like to whiten your whole mouth, this should always be done prior to the placement of any crowns or veneers.
Share27 February 2015
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.