Why would a tooth turn GREY?

Tooth trauma.

Anything that cuts off blood flow to the tooth can result in the tooth dying and going gray. The tooth may also develop gray stains from trauma. Trauma to the tooth may not result in a change in color for months or even years.

Can you fix a grey tooth?

Most likely, yes. If your dentist diagnoses a necrotic pulp (or “dead tooth”), your treatment options will be either a root canal treatment to save the tooth, or an extraction to remove the tooth. Both options remove the dead tissue and prevent any spreading infection in your mouth.

Is a grey tooth an emergency?

Often times, a grey tooth is a sign of an underlying condition that could require immediate treatment. You should seek dental attention right away if your teeth are greying. Oral complications should not be taken lightly.

What does it mean when a tooth turns gray?

According to the American Dental Association, if a tooth is damaged due to trauma or infection, the pulp and nerves can die and the tooth turns dark, pink, gray or black. Metal: Some materials used in the past by dentists to repair teeth such as silver fillings may also lead to graying of teeth over time.

How quickly does a tooth turn grey?

If a milk tooth receives a hard knock, then it may discolour and start to turn grey, yellow or black in colour. This often happens two to three weeks after the initial accident. This means that the tooth's blood supply has been affected and it is struggling to get the necessary amount of blood.

Why Is My Tooth Turning Gray?

What is a dying tooth?

A dead tooth occurs when those tissues are damaged and the blood supply to the tooth is lost. It may be painful or may cause no symptoms at all. A dead or dying tooth should be treated quickly because it can become infected and have negative effects on the jaw, gums and other teeth.

What does necrotic tooth mean?

Pulp necrosis is an irreversible condition that occurs when the soft pulp inside of a tooth dies. This is the last stage of a disease called pulpitis. There is a pulp chamber inside of each of your teeth. The chamber holds blood vessels and nerves that are inside small pieces of flesh.

Why do teeth turn grey with age?

As we get older, the outer hard tissue covering our teeth, called enamel, wears away and exposes the darker dentin beneath it. This can cause our teeth to appear more gray or yellow rather than white. Additional tooth staining can also be caused by certain medications.

What drugs cause GREY teeth?

Gray teeth stains can be caused by the use of tetracycline antibiotics in children under the age of 8 or pregnant mothers. Tetracycline is an antibiotic medication designed to fight bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, gonorrhea, acne, rosacea, and others.

Is a black tooth an emergency?

Because the dentine is softer, it will also be more prone to dental decay causing a black tooth. You should see a dentist about this; however, it would not be considered an emergency appointment unless it is accompanied by pain.

What antibiotic turns your teeth gray?

Ever since it was added to the stable of antibiotics over 60 years ago, tetracycline has been a popular alternative to fight infections such as strep. But this antibiotic has an unfortunate side effect — it turns teeth brown or grey.

How do you treat tooth discoloration?

Nonvital bleaching is indicated for the treatment of teeth with discoloration secondary to pulpal degeneration. This technique involves placing a mixture of 30% hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate into the pulp chamber for as long as 1 week. For nonvital bleaching, a tooth with an unrestored crown is ideal.

What diseases cause teeth discoloration?

Certain illnesses

Some medical conditions may impact the tooth enamel, which can lead to changes in the color of your teeth. These conditions include metabolic diseases, calcium deficiency, liver disease, rickets, eating disorders, and celiac disease.

What does pulp necrosis look like?

Teeth with dental pulp necrosis often become discolored. They often turn yellow first. Over time, they will darken to gray, brown, or even black.

How is necrotic tooth treated?

Can you get gangrene in a tooth?

The problem is that once the pulp in the tooth dies, the tooth is filled with gangrene (i.e. dead, rotten, infected tissue). Antibiotics cannot reach areas of dead tissue because there are no longer living blood vessels to carry the antibiotic to the gangrenous tissue.

How can you tell if a tooth is dying?

A dying tooth may appear yellow, light brown, gray, or even black. It may look almost as if the tooth is bruised. The discoloration will increase over time as the tooth continues to decay and the nerve dies. If you experience any symptoms of a dying tooth, it's important to see your dentist right away.

How do I know if my tooth is infected?

What can cause a dead tooth?

What causes tooth discoloration in adults?

Aging: As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth gets worn away exposing the yellow dentin. Your tooth dentin also grows as you age, which decreases the size of the pulp. The translucency of the tooth reduces, making it look darker. Genetics: Thicker and whiter enamel runs in some families.

Can discolored teeth be fixed?

Dental Bonding

This resin can be molded and shaped to fit whatever tooth has discoloration. The resin can also be color-matched to the rest of your smile or made to be as white as you'd like. Dental bonding can be done in a quick visit to your dentist. The surface of your tooth is prepared for the resin to adhere to.

What are the types of tooth discoloration?

Why is my tooth turning black?

Tooth decay: One of the leading causes of teeth turning black is tooth decay, which can result from the build-up of plaque and tartar. Poor oral hygiene can result in tooth decay, although this is reversible in the early stages. However, when teeth turn black further treatment is necessary.

How do you reverse tooth decay?

But as of yet, it's physically impossible. Once a tooth has a physical cavity (opening or hole) inside of it, there is no feasible way to help the enamel grow back on your own. Instead, the cavity will gradually worsen, due to the bacterial infection inside of the tooth structure.

Why are my teeth suddenly staining?

Food & Drink: Coffee, tea, dark sodas, red wine, and even a few fruits and vegetables are proven causes of discolored teeth. Tobacco: Both cigarettes and chewing tobacco can contribute to discolored teeth. Oral Care: Poor dental hygiene, such as inadequate brushing or flossing, can lead to tooth discoloration.