Bad habits and lifestyle can lead to degraded oral hygiene. You may experience yellow stains and it is quite common. Have you ever heard of gray or blue coloured teeth? Yes, it happens too!
It’s rare and occurs when the tooth dies. However there are certain reasons which can end up your tooth like this. Do you want to know what those causes are? Then continue reading this blog. It will also let you know the possible treatment options available for it.
Reasons of blue to gray teeth
- Ageing
With ageing, you can find plenty of changes in your body including dental health. The enamel wears down over time exposing the underlying yellow dentin. Sometimes, teeth can turn into greyish-blue colour as well.
- Dead teeth
Any tooth can turn into blue or gray as it is dead. Living pulp and nerves comprise of the healthy tooth. In case it discolours and turns into dark pink, black, blue or gray then it might have died. It can happen due to numerous causes like decay, trauma and infection.
- Dentinogenesis Imperfecta
Some people have hereditary opalescent dentin. In such instances, teeth become translucent. Sometimes it appears in blue-gray or yellow-brown in colour as well. Dentinogenesis Imperfecta is rare genetic problem which can lead to weakened and misaligned teeth. As a result the patient can experience tooth loss, breakage and wear respectively.
- Dental restorations
Obviously, it assists in correcting numerous dental issues like missing tooth, decay, discolouration, cracks and chips. But it can lead to discolouration as well. Over the course of time, dental restoration materials like porcelain, glass ionomer, acrylic and dental amalgam turn into gray or blue. It also exposes the translucent porcelain and enamel surface.
- Dental trauma
The tooth can lack from adequate blood flow due to injury to nearby tissues, gums and tooth. As a result, the tooth becomes gray or blue. Once it heals it will retain its original colour. But in many times, it can remain discoloured as well.
- Antibiotics exposure as child or foetus
Once a child below 8 years of age gets exposure to tetracycline can lead to tooth discolouration. The teeth can turn into yellow-brown or blue-gray as well in later stage of life. Unluckily, the discolouration happens from initial antibiotic exposure never fades away despite of vigorous and daily flossing and brushing.
- Root canal
Tooth discolouration happens if the pulp materials using for filling the canals remain inside at the time of root canal. Certain medications of root canal like Ultracal XS and Ledermix lead to discoloured tooth.
The dentist examines the gums and teeth extensively for determining the main culprit behind gray or blue tooth. To find out the exact cause they may suggest you to perform an X-ray as well. Pulp test helps in spotting out pulp necrosis condition.
Treatment options for blue to gray teeth
In case you feel worry regarding your gray or blue tooth visit to the dentist. More viable professional and safe treatments options for blue or gray teeth are:
- Whitening treatment
Whitening treatment is so far efficient on the yellowish teeth. However, it has the potential to improve the shade of gray or blue teeth as well. It doesn’t matter if the original colour of the teeth has died or not. In fact, you are free to use at-home whitening treatments like whitening toothpastes, strips and gels.
Along laser teeth whitening treatment these will enhance the appearance of the teeth too. In case your teeth are subjected to tetracycline in childhood days then bleach will occur in uneven manner.
- Veneers
Apart from restoring the teeth from misaligned, cracked and chipped; dental veneers can brush of the gray or blue teeth. It is customised, semi-permanent thin cover which will fit the teeth snugly. You have the chance to select from various white shades along its various kinds like lumineers and porcelain veneers.
- Crowns
Dental crown is another efficient option which you can place over damaged or discoloured teeth. It improves the appearance by fixing their strength, size and shape. Crowns are available in ceramic, resin, stainless steel and porcelain materials.
Do you require professional help?
Whenever you notice the teeth discolouration you should visit the dentist on an earliest note. They are able to disclose the cause of the discolouration and determine the ideal way to treat it. Also you can visit at www.london-teeth-whitening.co.uk for a consultation for your discoloured tooth.
