Causes of Gray Teeth and How Your Dentist Can Fix Them 

Sometimes in life, things are pretty predictable. Take colors for example. With few exceptions, you can pretty much guarantee that oranges will be orange, the grass will be green, and your teeth should be white. But what happens when they’re not? Gray teeth can be both unsightly and embarrassing, but what causes them, and how can you fix them? Here’s everything you need to know about this very distinct shade of discoloration.

What Causes Gray Teeth?

Gray teeth can be caused by a number of different things, including:

• Tetracycline: this antibiotic is known to turn children’s teeth gray if they aren’t fully developed when they take it, usually if they’re under the age of eight. It is also possible to develop gray teeth if your mother took this medication while pregnant.
• Dental restorations: in some cases, the materials used to fill cavities can cause tooth discoloration, including metal crowns and silver fillings.
• Root canal medications: Ledermix is a paste your dentist may use during a root canal procedure. The active ingredients include demeclocycline hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide, which can cause teeth to turn grayish brown. Yet another medication used in root canals, Ultracal XS can also discolor teeth, thanks to the active ingredient calcium hydroxide.
• Tooth trauma or decay: any trauma that cuts off blood flow to your tooth can cause it to die and turn gray. Teeth can also develop gray stains from trauma that may not appear for months or even years.
• Dentinogenesis imperfecta: this very rare, hereditary disorder occurs during the development of a child’s teeth, making them appear blue-gray and causing them to be frail and prone to damage.
• Age: your teeth may turn grayish blue simply from aging.

Can I Treat Gray Teeth?

The good news is that in many cases, yes, you can treat gray teeth! Your dentist offers many cosmetic dentistry solutions that are perfect for changing the shade of your smile. Some options include:

• Professional whitening: this treatment can be done at home with custom trays from your dentist and may be able to treat some types of gray tooth discoloration.
• Porcelain veneers: these thin porcelain shells fit over your existing teeth and can change their shape, size, spacing, and even their color. This treatment is great for all types of discoloration, because it doesn’t matter if the stains are intrinsic or extrinsic.
• Cosmetic dental bonding: using the same materials as tooth-colored fillings, cosmetic dental bonding can repair minor chips and cracks in teeth, but it can also cover stains and discoloration. If you have only a few teeth that are discolored, it can help match them to the rest of your teeth, eliminating that gray hue.

Remember, though there are many reasons why your teeth may be discolored gray, cosmetic dentistry provides a variety of solutions that will restore your gorgeous smile to a more desirable shade of white.

About Dr. Lacquaniti

Dr. Stephanie Lacquaniti earned her dental doctorate at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and has been passionate about continuing her education opportunities ever since. She frequently takes courses at SPEAR Education and through local study clubs throughout Lake County. If you are interested in restoring the beautiful white luster your teeth were meant to have with the help of cosmetic dentistry, please visit our website or call us directly at 352-383-8121.