Why Do People Have Grey Teeth? Causes & Ways to Fix
Have you ever wondered why some people have grey teeth? Maybe you’ve noticed your own teeth turning grey. Don’t worry, it can happen to anyone, and there are different reasons behind it. In this article, we’ll explore why teeth can turn grey and how dentists can help.
Table of Contents
Causes of grey teeth
Sometimes teeth can have different colours, and here are some reasons why it happens.
Medicine Troubles
Sometimes, certain medicines called tetracyclines can make grey teeth. This usually happens to kids whose teeth are still growing. If a mom takes these medicines during pregnancy, it can affect the baby’s teeth too.
Dental Work
When dentists fix cavities or restore teeth, they use special materials. Sometimes, these materials can cause teeth to turn gray. For example, metal crowns or silver fillings may make teeth look greyish.
Accidents and Injuries
Did you know that accidents can make teeth go grey too? When a tooth gets hurt badly, it may not get enough blood and nutrients to stay healthy. As a result, it can become grey or even die.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is when bacteria eat away at your teeth. If this decay gets really bad, it can cut off the blood flow to a tooth, causing it to turn grey and lose its color.
Getting Older
Just like people, teeth can change as they get older. They may start to look a little greyish-blue, and that’s completely normal.
Other reasons which might cause grey teeth
Natural Tooth Color
You may not be aware, but teeth naturally come in a variety of colours and shades. The appearance of certain people’s teeth is impacted by a rare hereditary disease called dentinogenesis imperfect. Their teeth may be weaker than usual and their baby and adult tooth’s enamel may seem blue-gray or yellow-brown. Talk to your dentist if you suspect you might have this issue so they can perform a checkup and provide you with a definitive diagnosis. However, since this ailment is uncommon, there may be other causes for your teeth turning grey.
Early Antibiotic Exposure
Tetracycline is a particular antibiotic that can cause discoloration in adult teeth if it is used when you are still in the womb or when you are a young child. These teeth may have streaks of blue-gray or yellow-brown discoloration. Unfortunately, brushing your teeth won’t remove these stains because they are permanent. The good news is that you can whiten your teeth with the help of cosmetic procedures. The solutions that might be the most suitable for you can be discussed with your dentist.
Dental Restorations for grey teeth
When you have dental fillings, they may may cause teeth turning grey. If you had a dental amalgam filling, which is a silver-colored filling, you might have seen this. This occurs as a result of the blue-grey appearance of materials including dental amalgam, glass ionomer, acrylic, porcelain, and metal crowns on the surface of your tooth. This is so that the metallic colour may be seen through the porcelain or enamel. If silver fillings are the source of your grey or blue teeth, your dentist can replace them with white fillings to improve the appearance of your teeth.
Dead Teeth
It may be indicative of dead teeth if only one or a few of grey teeth. Although they appear lifeless, teeth really contain live tissue. The living components inside your tooth may die as a result of an accident or infection, and the tooth may turn dark pink, grey, or even black. Make an appointment with your dentist if you believe that one or more of your teeth are dead. An infection can develop when bacteria get inside the cavity of a decaying tooth. A severely damaged tooth may require removal by your dentist, but in some circumstances, a root canal procedure may be able to save it. when your dentist determines
How Do Dentists Figure Out blue-grey teeth?
When you visit a dentist with greyish teeth, they will examine your mouth to find out what’s going on. They might take some pictures of your teeth, called X-rays, to get a closer look. If needed, they may even do a special test to check if your tooth is dying.
Treatments for grey teeth
Luckily, there are ways to make teeth look better! Here are some treatments that dentists might suggest:
- Special kinds of toothpaste: Dentists may recommend using whitening toothpaste to help lighten the grey color. These kinds of toothpaste have special ingredients that can make your teeth look brighter.
- Professional Treatments: Dentists can offer different treatments to make grey teeth whiter. They might give you a mouthguard with a bleaching solution to use at home. Or you might go to the dentist’s office, where they use stronger treatments and even laser lights to brighten your teeth.
- Dental Veneers: In some cases, if the grey color doesn’t go away, dentists can place thin covers called dental veneers on the front of your teeth. These veneers are like little masks that make your teeth look white and healthy.
Remember to Take Care of Your Teeth
To keep your teeth healthy and prevent them from turning grey, make sure to brush them twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to floss daily and visit your dentist regularly. By taking good care of your teeth, you can keep them strong and shiny.
FAQ’s
Summary
Grey teeth can happen for different reasons, such as medicine, accidents, or tooth decay. But the good news is that dentists have ways to make such teeth look better and help you have a bright smile. Remember to brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly to keep your teeth healthy and avoid any grey surprise.
