It’s one thing when your teeth look yellow, but a tooth that’s grayer than the rest is something else entirely. The former issue is fairly common; the latter one is much less so. That said, never fear – it’s possible to learn the causes of gray teeth and how to fix them. Your Orange Park dentist will even share the key facts with you. Just keep reading to learn how gray teeth occur, as well as what dentistry can do to address them.
How Do Gray Teeth Occur?
If you have a gray tooth (or several), it likely stems from one (or more) of the following:
- Natural Coloring – While it’s easy to think otherwise, teeth don’t always emerge bright by nature. Some can look blue-gray when you have certain genetic conditions.
- Dying Nerves – Teeth can turn a dark gray color when their pulp and nerves die. As such, your grayish-blue teeth could very well be “dead.”
- Antibiotic Exposure – If you were exposed to the antibiotic tetracycline in the womb, your teeth could come out blue-gray as a result. Such coloring is permanent and unaffected by brushing.
- Dental Restorations – Sometimes, dental restorations (i.e., fillings, crowns, etc.) can make teeth look gray or blue.
What Can Dentistry Do to Help?
As odd as gray teeth may seem, cosmetic dentistry has several ways to address them. The most common methods include:
Teeth Whitening
Whether it’s done in an office or at home, teeth whitening can “brighten up” light gray enamel. The treatment relies on a hydrogen peroxide gel that can remove stains of all colors. Indeed, you’d just get results more or less quickly depending on the type of whitening you choose. The in-office approach whitens in only an hour, while the at-home process takes roughly two weeks.
Dental Bonding
If your gray teeth aren’t severely discolored, dental bonding could help out. It would put tooth-colored resin on the affected enamel that blends seamlessly with the rest of your smile. In doing so, it’d make the grayish areas look visibly whiter to any and all onlookers.
Porcelain Veneers
You know how veneers cover the whole front of teeth? Well, such coverage doesn’t just hide chips and cracks; it can also obscure the grayish tint of a tooth. A dentist would just have to customize the shell, thus ensuring it fits precisely and blends in well. You’d then enjoy a smile free of gray!
Now knowing the above, don’t worry about the causes of your gray teeth. Look into the solutions for them with your dental provider!
About the Practice
Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry is based in Orange Park, FL. Led by Drs. Crovatto and Edwards, our practice cherishes the chance to help smiles thrive. We thus maintain the highest possible standards, tailoring our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services to your grin’s needs. Whether you see us for a dental checkup or in-house dental implants, our team will leave you beaming afterwards! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (904)-272-0800.