Everyone wants to show off a bright, white smile. However, this isn’t the case for many of us thanks to discoloration. You may even notice less family shades in your smile. Instead of white or yellow, teeth can look bluish or gray. There are many reasons why this can happen, but you don’t necessarily have to settle for it. Here are some of the causes of gray teeth and what your dentist can do.
What Causes Gray Teeth?
- Antibiotics: The Journal of International Oral Health reports that exposure to the common infection-fighting antibiotic, tetracycline, while in the womb or as a young child can cause discoloration in the future adult teeth. Teeth that are affected develop blue-gray or yellow-brown stains, often in horizontal stripes.
- Old Restorations: If you have amalgam fillings, metal crowns, or other restorations, this could cause your teeth to appear bluish or gray. This is more common with older dental restorations, but they can usually be replaced by a dentist to have a more natural, white appearance.
- Dead Teeth: If just one or a couple of teeth turn blue or gray, this could mean that the teeth have died. This can be caused by anything that cuts off blood flow to the tooth. Trauma to the tooth may not result in a change of color for several years, so many people don’t realize the correlation.
- Aging: Your teeth become discolored overtime simply due to aging. This can cause them to appear more yellow or gray blue.
- Dentinogenesis Imperfecta: This is a rare, hereditary disorder of tooth development that can make primary and permanent teeth appear blue or gray. This condition also weakens the teeth, making them more prone to damage.
How Can Gray Teeth Be Addressed?
Here are some of the most common treatment options for gray teeth.
- Professional Teeth Whitening: Whitening treatments tend to work best on yellow discoloration, but depending on your situation, it may work for gray tints as well. If you have surface discoloration, professional teeth whitening may do the trick.
- New Restorations: If your gray teeth are due to old restorations, your dentist may be able to replace them with tooth-colored ones.
Discoloration is very common, but there are solutions that can help! By working with your dentist, you can determine the cause of your gray teeth and put together a treatment plan that works for you.
About the Author
Dr. Kwonduk Jung earned his dental doctorate from the University of New England College of Dental Medicine. Since then, he has regularly pursued continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Maine Dental Association, and Academy of General Dentistry. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Arundel, visit his website or call (207) 985-3576.