Gray Teeth: What Is the Cause, and What You Can Do About It?

26% of adults in the United States have tooth decay that isn't being treated. Dental concerns and oral health problems are probably more common than you think! 

One dental problem that you might be dealing with is gray teeth. 

Are you dealing with gray teeth that make you uncomfortable? Do you have discoloration that causes you to hide your teeth or smile less?

If you have gray teeth, and you don't know why it's happened, keep reading to learn more about the issue and what you can do to make it go away.
 
Why Do You Have Gray Teeth?
The causes of your gray teeth can be attributed to a lot of different factors. Unfortunately, there are some people that may have gray teeth due to factors out of their control.

Dealing with gray teeth can be stressful and uncomfortable for anyone. This is especially true if they make the person self-conscious. Knowing the reason that you have the gray teeth can help you accept them and move forward! 

Some of the reasons that you might have gray teeth are:

• Natural teeth color
• Aging
• Dentinogenesis imperfecta
• Teeth trauma
• Antibiotics (tetracycline)
• Tooth decay
• Root canal treatment

Some people have teeth that have gray spots instead of the whole tooth being gray. Others have one or more teeth that are completely gray all the way through.

If you have gray lines on teeth, gray stains on teeth, or discolored teeth that appear gray, you may be dealing with one of these issues. 

What Can You Do to Fix Gray Teeth?
When your teeth are gray, the best thing to do when you want to make them white is apply a whitening agent. This is what will help your teeth return to a more healthy color. 

Seeking the help of a professional, like the dental professionals at Upland Dental, should be the first step. 

A professional will look at your teeth to determine if any other treatments are needed.

If you have tooth trauma or are dealing with a disorder that is causing grayness, you may need more work done so the teeth will remain white after treatment. Otherwise, your teeth may turn gray again, and you'll have to get the whitening repeated over and over. 

Meeting with a dental professional for an appointment is a good way to improve the look of your teeth and create a healthy environment for your mouth overall. 

Can You Whiten Gray Teeth?
If your teeth are gray, the first thing that you want to do is reach for the whitening products. You may want to hold off until you speak with your dentist first.

You can whiten gray teeth with different techniques, but you have to use the right methods to make sure it is done correctly.

It's possible to have do-it-yourself whitening methods done at home, but it's a good idea to talk with your dentist first to make sure that the chosen method is safe.

Some simple ways to whiten teeth include:

• Using whitening toothpaste
• Professional teeth whitening by a dentist
• Using at-home whitening strips
• Using a bleaching kit prepared by a dentist

It's important to note that not all teeth will respond to whiteners on the first try.
​
In addition to that, if your tooth is dead or has turned gray because it is dying, your dentist may want to discuss alternative treatment options with you other than whitening.

What if Whitening Doesn't Work?
If whitening your teeth doesn't seem to have any effect on the gray color, you do have some other options to cover it up.

One thing you could talk to your dental professional about is porcelain veneers. These are applied by removing some of the natural enamel on your tooth and then adding a coat of porcelain. 

They aren't recommended for all patients but may work if you are a good candidate. Usually, it takes two visits to the dentist for this procedure to be completed (consultation appointment and procedure appointment).

If your gray teeth are caused by serious damage or decay, a crown is another option to consider.

Crowns today are able to match the rest of your teeth very naturally. They may be covered by your health insurance depending on the plan you have and the main reason for needing the crown.

What About When Baby Teeth Are Discolored Gray?
Some of the same issues that impact adult teeth can impact baby teeth as well.

Things like not brushing well, tooth injury or trauma, illness, or certain medications can all cause your child's baby teeth to appear discolored.

You can fix a lot of these issues at home, especially if having too many sugary drinks or not brushing the teeth is the cause of the gray teeth.

However, if your child has gray teeth and you're not sure why, they should see the dentist and have the root of the issue diagnosed.

Depending on the reason that the teeth are grey, there are likely different treatment options available. If it is a cosmetic issue alone, talk to the dentist to see if whitening the teeth is a good idea before making any decisions.

We Can Help Fix Your Gray Teeth
No one wants to have gray teeth, but rest assured that there are treatments available! If you're dealing with gray teeth and want to get some answers, we are here for you.

Contact us today to discuss your concerns and make an appointment with one of our dental professionals.