Why does a tooth turn GREY?
Michael Gray
Updated on May 05, 2026
What do you do if your tooth turns grey?
What is the treatment for gray teeth?
- brushing with whitening toothpastes.
- brushing with natural tooth whiteners, such as baking soda.
- at-home tooth whitening strip kits.
- at-home bleaching kit prepared by your dentist, which contain a bleaching solution and fitted mouthguard.
What can cause a tooth to turn gray?
Causes Of Blue Or Gray Teeth
- Aging. Aging brings a lot of changes, including dental ones. ...
- Dead Teeth. There's always the chance that your tooth is turning blue or gray because it's dead. ...
- Dentinogenesis Imperfecta. ...
- Dental Restorations. ...
- Dental Trauma. ...
- Exposure To Antibiotics As A Fetus Or Child. ...
- Root Canals.
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.Does a grey tooth have to be removed?
In some cases, the tooth will heal itself; however, it is common for the tooth to remain discolored or even die. Depending on the type of damage, treatment may involve a root canal to remove the dead tissue and bleaching or cosmetic restorations to improve the color of the tooth.Why Is My Tooth Turning Gray?
Can a gray tooth be saved?
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.What does a dying tooth look like?
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.Why has my front tooth gone grey?
Tooth TraumaAnything that cuts off blood flow to the tooth can lead to the tooth going gray. The tooth may also have gray stains from mental distress. Trauma to the tooth, however, may not result in a change in color for months or even years.
Can you fix a discolored tooth?
Dental BondingThis 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.
Can tooth decay be reversed?
Decayed Enamel Can't be “Re-Grown”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.
How do you know you have tooth decay?
Symptoms
- Toothache, spontaneous pain or pain that occurs without any apparent cause.
- Tooth sensitivity.
- Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold.
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth.
- Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth.
- Pain when you bite down.
Why is one tooth darker than the rest?
Sometimes, a tooth may appear more discolored than the surrounding teeth because it has become stained. Tooth staining can occur due to the foods and drinks we consume and certain medications we take. If one tooth is slightly discolored, it may simply mean the tooth has a stain.What does a dark tooth mean?
As the tooth gets eaten away, tooth decay sets in. Tooth decay naturally looks black and can give the appearance of a black tooth. This gives the look of rotten teeth and is a classic result of not looking after your teeth for a considerable period of time.How fast can 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.What happens if you have a dead 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.How do I know if my tooth is infected?
Below are some tell-tale signs of a tooth infection or tooth abscess.
- Extreme sensitivity to hot, cold, sugary, or acidic foods.
- Change in tooth color.
- Swelling of face, jaw, gums, or surrounding lymph nodes.
- Raised swelling around a tooth that may resemble a pimple. ...
- Bad breath or sour taste in your mouth.