What to Do When a Tooth is Turning Dark or Grey?

Noticing a tooth turning dark or grey can be alarming. While discoloration doesn’t always require an emergency dentist in Vaughan, your tooth does need medical attention. Mackenzie Dental Centre, your trusted dental office, has experienced dentists in Vaughan to soothe your grey teeth worries. Meanwhile, here’s a guide to understand what’s happening to your tooth and the next steps to take. 

Why Do Teeth Turn Grey

Tooth discoloration and darkening can stem from many causes:

• Trauma or Injury: A hard fall or sports accident can unexpectedly injure the blood vessels inside your tooth. The pulp inside begins to break down when blood flow is cut off. The result? A gradually darkening tooth that runs a grey or bluish shade. This change may or may not appear right away. Your tooth can turn grey in months or even years after the trauma.
• Nerve Damage: Trauma or decay can deaden the pulp inside the tooth. The consequent lack of nutrients and blood supply causes internal discoloration. The ‘dead’ tooth often turns grey or blueish. It can be a source of painful infection without treatment from a qualified dentist in Vaughan. 
• Tooth Decay: Untreated cavities slowly damage the surface enamel and progress deeper into the tooth. The infected pulp and nerve tissue eventually cause the tooth to take on a darker, greyish tone.
• Past Dental Treatments: Some past dental materials or medications used in root canals can sometimes discolour a tooth from the inside out. 
• Enamel Erosion: Our enamel thins with age, revealing the darker dentin underneath. Your teeth can start looking more translucent and grey. This is more evident in enamel wear from grinding or acid erosion.

When to See Your Dentist in Vaughan

Not every grey tooth signals a dental emergency. Still, some warning signs prompt immediate care:

• Sudden discoloration after an injury
• A grey tooth accompanied by pain, swelling, or sensitivity.
• A tooth that feels loose
• Grey or dark stains near the gumline indicate decay or plaque accumulation.

A sudden tooth colour change should always be evaluated, even if there’s no pain. Advice from an emergency dentist in Vaughan can determine whether the tooth is still healthy or requires professional care.

Treatment Options for a Dark or Grey Tooth

• Root Canal Therapy: Root canal treatment in the darkened tooth removes the damaged pulp and seals the tooth to prevent infection from spreading. A crown is generally used to protect the remaining tooth and restore the appearance of severely dark and structurally weakened teeth. 
• Internal Bleaching: If the teeth remain grey even after root canal therapy, your dentist in Vaughan may use internal bleaching to lighten them from within. 
• Bonding & Veneers: Cosmetic dental bonding or veneers can mask grey discoloration when whitening doesn’t work. Your dentist in Vaughan will apply a thin resin over the tooth or a porcelain coating to merge it with the rest of your smile.

Final Thoughts

A grey tooth may be a deeper dental issue or a cosmetic concern. A correct diagnosis by a skilled dentist in Vaughan can confirm the cause. The good news? Modern dentistry options like whitening, bonding, and restorative root canal therapy can renew tooth health and appearance. 

So, confirm your appointment with The Mackenzie Dental Centre for that grey and darkening tooth today! We promise the right treatment, be it urgent care from an emergency dentist in Vaughan or a longer cosmetic solution! 

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