Gray Teeth? Here Are the Causes & Treatments!

Have you noticed some of your teeth are turning a bluish gray? Everyone wants to enjoy a healthy, white set of teeth, which is why this can be concerning. Unfortunately, this kind of discoloration can occur at any age, and for a variety of reasons. Thankfully, there are treatment options once the root of the problem is identified. Read on to learn what could be causing your gray teeth as well as how you can solve this issue!

Common Causes of Gray Teeth

There are many factors that can cause gray teeth, including:

• Tetracycline: This antibiotic can cause children’s teeth that are not fully developed to turn gray. While it most commonly occurs in children under the age of 8, you may get gray teeth if your mother took tetracycline during pregnancy.
• Restorations: Dental materials used to create restorations like crowns or fillings can sometimes cause discoloration. Metal crowns or silver fillings are often culprits.
• Natural tooth color: Your teeth naturally come in a range of sizes, shapes, and shades, even if you haven’t noticed. For some patients, the difference in color is more significant than others. You may also have gray teeth due to genetics – dentinogenesis imperfecta is a condition that causes enamel to appear bluish gray or yellowish brown.
• Decay: If you only have 1 or 2 gray teeth, it may be due to decay that has cut off the tooth’s blood flow, causing it to die and change color.

How You Can Help

While some causes are uncontrollable, there are steps you can take to limit your risk of discoloration. The main priority is to care for your smile. Do this by brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each session. Additionally, floss once a day to prevent decay that can occur on the sides of teeth. As soon as you notice any gray or discoloration, contact your dentist right away. Usually, the sooner a dental problem is identified, the quicker, easier, and cheaper it is to address.

How Your Dentist Can Help

Every smile is different, which is why your dentist will always review your medical history and carefully examine your teeth before recommending a treatment. For mild cases, whitening toothpaste used regularly can do the trick. However, if the cause of your grayness is dead teeth, they will need to be replaced with dental bridges, dentures, or dental implants to restore your grin. In-office whitening, dental bonding, and veneers are examples of other treatment options that your dentist may use.

Don’t let gray teeth get in the way of your beautiful smile. Now that you know what may be causing this issue, contact your dentist to get your white, confident teeth back!

Meet the Dentist

Dr. Jason Tubo is a skilled dentist who specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Whitinsville patients can check out the book he published for over 50 examples of life-changing cosmetic and reconstructive treatments. To schedule an appointment, he can be reached through his website or by phone at (508) 234-8107.