Grey teeth shift from dazzling white to light gray or dark gray for several causes. This impacts dental health and smile appearance. Numerous factors may produce gray teeth, including medical issues, smoking, diet, age, and drugs. Nevertheless, in-office whitening may help. Let Bassendean dentist explain the gray teeth cause and treatment in this post.

Grey Teeth – What Causes It?

Smiles are attractive, but grey teeth may make us feel ashamed and insecure. This syndrome may be caused by several variables, including diet, smoking, age, medical issues, and drug usage. This condition is cosmetic and may indicate major oral health issues, so don’t ignore it. Let’s discuss grey teeth causes and solutions so you may smile with confidence:

Pathological

Did you know many individuals prefer a whiter smile? There are more people with flawless teeth than there are with flaws. Tooth discoloration to a greyish hue is a common cosmetic dentistry issue. Oral illness develops grey teeth. Next, we’ll discuss pathological grey teeth and their causes:

• Periodontitis: Gum disease called periodontitis may discolour teeth and cause enamel loss.
• Gingivitis: It is an inflammation of the gums that can cause discoloration of the teeth.
• Eczema (caries): When you have eczema, germs and the acids produced by the foods you eat break down your teeth and cause a yellowing of the enamel.
• Oral erythema multiforme: Red gums harm the mouth’s lining and discolour teeth.
• Gum recession: In gum recession, the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing the tooth roots and making the teeth seem yellow.
• Oral cancer: By damaging the mouth and teeth, oral cancer may discolour teeth.
• Diabetes: It may impair immunity, induce inflammation, and affect the colour of teeth.
• Renal failure: Kidney failure can lead to a change in the color of the teeth due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Certain medical conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, or blood disease can cause do root canal teeth turn grey. These diseases affect the growth of teeth and cause damage to the enamel, leading to their color change.
• Dysentery: The bacteria and chemicals that cause dysentery may also stain teeth.

Medicine

Teeth impact our looks and self-confidence, as well as our ability to eat and communicate. However, several factors may cause tooth discoloration, including grey teeth. Medication is a major cause of grey teeth. Next, we’ll explore grey tooth medications and oral health:

• Tetracycline antibiotics: Many bacterial infections are treated with tetracycline. This drug may turn children’s teeth grey or brown if used during tooth development.
• Antidepressants and thirst quenchers: Lithium and chlorhexidine antidepressants and thirst quenchers may produce grey teeth.
• Antiepileptic drugs: Some antiepileptic drugs can cause a change in the color of teeth, such as phenytoin.
• Anti-cancer drugs: Some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy used to treat cancer can also cause a change in the color of your teeth.
• Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Long-term usage of aspirin and ibuprofen may discolour teeth.
• Oral medications: If overused, anti-infectives may discolor teeth.

Eating Habit

A healthy grin has white teeth. However, eating habits might discolour teeth, lowering confidence while smiling. We don’t want our tooth colour to restrict our communication and smiling. Thus, to maintain white teeth, we must understand tooth discoloration’s causes and prevention. Next, we’ll discuss grey teeth caused by diet and how to prevent it.

• Caffeine: Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks contain substances that stain teeth and can stain teeth.
• Alcohol and Tobacco: Drugs such as alcohol and tobacco can cause discoloration of teeth.
• Carbonated drinks: Carbonic acid in carbonated beverages lowers the mouth’s pH and damages tooth enamel.
• Foods that stain teeth: Tomatoes, grapes, blueberries, black and white, black beans, and dark chocolate are just few of the coloured foods that may stain your teeth.
• Sugars and starches: Gum, marshmallows, biscuits, and sweets with sugar and starches may harm teeth and dull them due to oral microorganisms.

Thus, to prevent tooth decay, we should avoid meals and drinks with colourants and stains and practice good oral hygiene.

Smoke

Tobacco chemicals or Vaping create grey teeth, which are yellow and dull. Nicotine and tar in cigarettes attach to teeth and gums, leaving yellow, dull stains. For smokers, the most common reasons for tooth discolouration are:

• Tobacco contains chemicals that damage and affect gum tissue, bone tissue and the outer enamel layer of teeth, making teeth white.
• Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco have the ability to stick to and absorb colors from other foods and drinks, causing tooth discoloration.

Age

Our looks and health change as we age. Gray teeth are a typical condition among the elderly, causing them to lose their youthful grin. This makes many individuals uncomfortable, lowers self-esteem, and impairs mental health. Another International Dental Journal research indicated that tooth color change increases with age. Next, we’ll dive into what causes and reverses the natural greying of teeth with age. The main causes of age-related gray teeth include:

• Enamel wear: The enamel wears off with time, making teeth less shiny and dull.
• Degeneration of tooth structure: Aging damages tooth cells and oral soft tissues, leaving teeth more sensitive to wear and less able to shine.
• Natural color change: Oxidation or enamel changes may affect tooth colour as we age.

Can You Whiten Grey Teeth?

Indeed, teeth whitening is one of the most common ways to fix gray teeth. Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains and unwanted color from the surface of teeth to recreate their natural color. Teeth whitening methods currently include:

• Clinic Teeth Whitening: Use professional whitening agents such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide combined with light for best results.
• Teeth Whitening At Home: Use whitening gel and customized teeth for better effect.
• Uses of commercially available teeth whitening products: Most contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide compounds.

However, it should be noted that teeth whitening can cause tooth sensitivity and lead to damage if not done properly. So, if you are interested in teeth whitening, seek advice from your dentist to find the best method for your case.

Treatment Options For Grey Teeth

When faced with the challenge of grey teeth, there’s good news: various treatment options are available to restore your smile’s natural brilliance and boost your confidence. The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause of the discoloration, its severity, and your personal preferences. Here are some effective treatment options to consider:

Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening, performed by a dental expert, is a popular and effective way to address grey teeth.

This procedure involves using specialized bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to break down stains and restore your teeth’s natural color. In-office whitening sessions typically produce rapid and noticeable results. Dentists can also create custom take-home whitening kits for more gradual at-home treatments.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance.

They can effectively cover up grey teeth and provide a uniform, white appearance.

Veneers are a versatile solution for not only discoloration but also other cosmetic concerns like minor chips and irregularities.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the surface of the teeth and then shaping and polishing it to match the surrounding teeth.

This method is suitable for minor discoloration and imperfections, providing an economical and relatively quick solution.

Crowns

Dental crowns, also known as caps, are custom-fitted coverings that encase the entire visible portion of a tooth. They are often used for teeth with significant discoloration or structural damage.

Crowns can restore both the appearance and function of grey teeth, creating a seamless, natural-looking result.

Dental Implants

For cases where grey teeth are irreversibly damaged or lost due to factors like trauma or decay, dental implants can be a comprehensive solution.

Dental implants replace the missing tooth with a prosthetic tooth that closely resembles natural teeth in color and shape.

Addressing Underlying Health Conditions

If grey teeth are the result of underlying health conditions, addressing these issues can contribute to improving their appearance.

Treating conditions such as periodontitis, gingivitis, or oral infections can help restore your oral health and potentially reverse discoloration.

How to Get Rid Of Gray Stains On Teeth?

Gray tooth discoloration might make you feel self-conscious about smiling. Thankfully, these easy and efficient techniques may help you restore your pearly whites:

• Proper oral care: Brush twice a day and floss between teeth. Oral hygiene helps whiten teeth by removing plaque and infection-causing chemicals.
• Adjust your diet: Be away from alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, sugar, fast food, carbohydrates, and dark meals since they might discolor your teeth.
• Use a whitening toothpaste: Peroxide is in several toothpastes. To prevent enamel damage, use the proper toothpaste for your teeth and follow the directions.
• Teeth whitening with dental methods: If the above methods do not work, you can find professional teeth whitening methods at the dentist. These methods include the use of lasers, LEDs, or highly durable samples. However, consult your dentist to choose the right method for your tooth condition.

These treatments will help you remove gray spots from your teeth. Nonetheless, regular dental care and appropriate eating habits are essential for healthy, brilliant teeth.

Conclude

Teeth discoloration may influence your look, self-esteem, and communication. Gray teeth are prevalent due to sickness, smoking, diet, or aging. Nevertheless, tooth whitening is safe and effective. Spring Orchid dentistry clinic in Bassendean offers a team of skilled dental experts that utilize current technology and high-quality supplies to provide you with the safest and most effective teeth whitening outcomes. We aim to please our consumers every time. For the finest dental consultation and treatment for gray teeth, visit Spring Orchid dental clinic. This article should have helped you understand the reasons for gray teeth and the significance of dental health.

FAQs

Are Gray Teeth Dangerous?

Gray teeth influence dental health but are not a disease. Tooth decay, periodontitis, and even tooth loss may develop in gray teeth if they aren’t cared for and treated quickly. Also, it influences aesthetics, grin, and confidence. Hence, if you have gray teeth, see a dentist immediately.

Can Gray Teeth Go Away On Their Own?

They aren’t, in fact. Teeth that have become gray as a result of sickness or age are more difficult to whiten than discolored teeth. But, gray teeth may be avoided with a healthy diet, good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups. Teeth whitening kits won’t fix gray teeth; you require emergency dental treatment.

Are Gray Teeth During Pregnancy Dangerous?

Pregnancy hormones might create dental health issues including gray teeth. Gray teeth don’t harm mothers or babies. Nevertheless, owing to the potential risks to the unborn child, typical tooth whitening treatments may not be advised for pregnant women. So, consider teeth whitening with your dentist and obstetrician to weigh the pros and cons.