When pearly white teeth become stained, they typically turn a yellowish hue. So if your teeth look more gray, you might be worried about what that could mean. While gray teeth can sometimes be a sign that something’s wrong with your oral health, there are plenty of other possible explanations. To know for sure, you’ll have to visit your dentist – who can also recommend the best treatment option for you.
Dental Trauma or Decay
Did you know that your teeth circulate? A steady blood flow is how they absorb elements that keep them healthy, such as calcium and oxygen. If you’ve sustained a facial injury or have an existing case of cavities, the blood flow to your teeth can get cut off, turning them gray. This is the explanation that warrants a prompt trip to your dentist’s office!
Antibiotics or Medication
Tetracycline, a common antibiotic, can give children under the age of eight gray teeth. Though a child may also grow in gray teeth if their mother took tetracycline during pregnancy.
Ledermix and Ultracal XS are both root canal medications that can cause graying because of their chemical makeup. If this is the underlying cause of discoloration, your teeth may also appear to have a brownish hue.
Metal Restorations
Do you have a metal filling or crown? If so, they could be the culprits behind your smile’s odd pigmentation. As these restorations age, the cold, metallic tone of the metal amalgam starts to become more apparent, resulting in a blue-gray hue.
Genetics
It’s possible that your teeth are simply that color naturally! Genetics play a big role in the shade of a person’s teeth. If the gray tone of your teeth is particularly strong or you’ve had them since infancy, you might have dentinogenesis imperfecta; a rare genetic condition that alters the transparency of teeth. In this case, a weakened dentin layer makes your teeth appear dull, so if you suspect this is the cause of your gray smile, talk to your dentist.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Depending on the reason why your teeth are gray, your dentist might recommend cosmetic or emergency treatment. If the blood flow to your not-so-pearly whites is constricted, you’ll likely need first-aid or a cavity filling. In other cases, teeth whitening, dental veneers, or a metal-free restoration could very well be the more effective solution.
Medication stains, meanwhile, can often be bleached white with a safe, professional-grade whitening gel. Genetic greying would probably be better treated with a protective and cosmetic set of veneers, on the other hand. If you have a metal restoration, your dentist will gladly replace it with a tooth-colored version!
Whatever the case may be, trust your dentist to provide both an accurate diagnosis and solid treatment plan for your smile.
About the Author
As an esteemed member of the Academy of General Dentistry and a board director of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Les Latner can offer quality treatment for your grayish teeth! Whether you have a dental emergency on your hands or simply need a cosmetic touch-up, he’ll make sure your needs are taken care of, and your treatment plan reflects your smile goals. To contact Dr. Latner’s office, call 310-477-1081.