If you have suddenly noticed that one of your teeth is turning gray, it's time to make an appointment with your dentist. Most teeth that turn gray, do so because of an injury. On rare occasions, teeth will turn gray because of a bacterial infection. Your dentist will be able to pinpoint your problem, and offer you solutions for your graying tooth.

You May Not Be Aware of Any Injury to Your Tooth

You can have a tooth turn gray because of an injury, but you may not know when that injury occurred. If you grind your teeth at night, or if you bit down hard on a piece of food, you may have hurt your tooth without being aware of it. When a tooth is injured, it can take weeks for it to start turning gray, making figuring out when you hurt it almost impossible.

Traditional Tooth Whitening Treatments Will Not Work on a Tooth that is Gray

You can't use typical tooth whiteners on a gray tooth because the tooth is gray from the inside, and not stained gray. Tooth whiteners work on teeth that have been stained yellow over time, from food and drinks. You will not be able to lighten a tooth that has turned gray, and you will have to seek treatment from a dentist for your options.

Dark, Injured Teeth Will Need a Root Canal

A common treatment for a tooth that is turning gray and is clearly injured is a root canal. With a root canal, your dentist will remove any decay that is inside the tooth, allowing your tooth to heal from the original trauma. If left alone, a tooth that needs a root canal can become infected, and you will have bigger problems than when you started. Once you have received a root canal, you have some options as to how to make the injured tooth look more natural.

Crowns or Veneers Can Restore Your Smile

If you have more than one tooth that is gray, you can have a crown or a veneer placed on the tooth. A crown is a cap that looks just like a natural tooth that fits right over the injured tooth, and is permanently secured into your mouth. A dental veneer is made of thin porcelain, and is often used to cover the surface of teeth that are in the front. Dental veneers look like naturally colored teeth and can be used throughout the mouth.

When your tooth is turning gray, it's vital to contact your dentist and find out the reason. Never delay getting dental treatment, from a dentist like Kyle J Frisinger DMD, because your overall health can be negatively affected.