Grey stains on teeth can be a source of frustration and self-consciousness for many individuals. Understanding the causes of these stains is crucial to effectively address and prevent them. In this blog post, we will explore the common reasons behind grey stains on teeth, providing valuable insights into maintaining a bright, healthy smile.

What causes gray teeth?

Various factors can lead to gray teeth:

Tetracycline: This antibiotic may turn children’s teeth gray, especially under 8 or if the mother used it during pregnancy.
Dental restorations: Materials like metal crowns and silver fillings can cause discoloration.
Root canal medications: Ledermix and Ultracal XS can turn teeth grayish-brown due to their ingredients.
Tooth trauma: Interruption of blood flow, resulting from trauma, can cause a tooth to die and turn gray.
Tooth decay: Decay cutting off blood flow can lead to a gray appearance.
Dentinogenesis imperfecta: A hereditary disorder causing blue-gray teeth, prone to breakage.
Aging: Natural aging can cause teeth to turn grayish-blue over time.

How are conditions that cause gray teeth diagnosed?

To find out why your teeth are grey, your dentist will examine them. In addition to X-rays, your teeth and gums will be examined. In certain cases, your dentist might also do a pulp test to check for indications of pulp necrosis or the death of the pulp inside the tooth.

Seeing a dentist is crucial if you have grey teeth, as a shift in tooth color could indicate that your tooth is approaching the end of its life.

Bacteria in a dying tooth have the potential to spread and endanger neighboring teeth. The standard course of action for a dead tooth is a root canal.

When To See Your Dentist

If your teeth are greying, contact Amrita Sandhu Gill, your trusted dentist if you:

One or more teeth appear stained or change color.
One or more of your teeth hurt or are sensitive, and your gums feel swollen, sore, or bleeding.

What is the treatment for gray teeth?

Grey teeth are less suitable for whitening procedures than yellow teeth. Nevertheless, whitening procedures might still produce positive effects. The outcome primarily depends on the color of your teeth and the reason behind their greying.

If you used tetracycline to discolor your teeth, whitening procedures might not give you the same results on all of your teeth.

Consult your dentist about the best course of action for you. Among the things you could attempt are:

Using whitening toothpaste for brushing
Employing natural whiteners like baking soda during brushing
Trying at-home tooth whitening strip kits
Using a dentist-prescribed at-home bleaching kit with a custom mouthguard and bleaching solution
Opting for in-office professional teeth whitening, possibly with laser light treatments
Consider dental veneers, custom-made porcelain or composite resin covers for the front of teeth.

If you are seeking teeth whitening in Airdrie, AB, look no further than Dr. Amrita Sandhu-Gill. As a reputable cosmetic dentist in Airdrie, she is the trusted professional to consult for your teeth whitening needs.

What to expect if a tooth turns gray

If grey teeth are not treated with whitening agents, they may not revert to their natural color. In such cases, a dentist may propose in-office veneers or bleaching if at-home procedures do not achieve the desired results.

If you observe gray discoloration in your teeth, it is crucial to seek evaluation from a dentist. They can determine whether a tooth is dead or dying and suggest the most suitable treatment. Gray teeth, not associated with dying, might benefit from different at-home or professional whitening methods, depending on the extent of discoloration and its root cause.