It can start out a greyish-coloured tooth that you see as you look in your bathroom mirror, or you get reflected light when taking family pictures, or seeing it when you are watching yourself in the light. It can be more visible when the rest of your teeth are the same colour so some people actually don’t notice this initially. It can start out slowly and not be noticed until a tooth is injured or hit on something and it is then difficult to determine the start of it.
If the color of a tooth is shifting from day to day, it can even make you think what’s wrong with your teeth from the dental office in Hendersonville. During a scheduled appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth to determine whether the tooth is grey, or the new color simply means your teeth aren’t in great shape. Here’s what the dentist is checking.
Why a Tooth Turns Grey
There are various reasons for a grey tooth, no matter how normal to feel. Your dentist Hendersonville may examine prior injury, age of dental work, and variation in natural color.
1. When Can a Previous Tooth Injury Influence Colour
Observe a grey staining of a tooth long after being struck. For example, during a fall during a sports match or a light shock when you were a child, the colour of the tooth can be affected several years after the fact. These changes occur inside the tooth.
2. The Impact of Old Dental Work on Your Smile
An existing filling or crown can affect the way a tooth looks compared to its neighbours. Uneven lighting, surface staining around the rim of a filling or movement in surrounding teeth can make a tooth appear darker. Surface stains are not the same as internal changes and discolouration does not warrant replacement.
3. When the Colour Change Could Be Caused by Something Else
Enamel traits and surface stains and the natural tooth color may all be linked to a gray hue. Nevertheless, if there is a consistent or a darkening in the shade of the tooth, it might cause more evaluation. Examination can help determine the cause due to the fact that flossing might not make a difference in internal tooth colour variations.
What a Dental Office in Hendersonville May Check
A greyish color might be the result of staining, something that happened to the tooth a long time ago, or internal decay. On its own, the color alone won’t let you know what caused the grey coloration. Your dental clinic in Hendersonville can evaluate the tooth, examine its history, and see if further tests are needed.
1. Inspecting Tooth & Gums
The dentist may test for obvious cracks and degeneration, deterioration of the enamel and alterations in the gums. They also may want to make a comparison with neighboring teeth to find out if only one tooth or look unwell. Further examinations are also done if there does seem to be any damage.
2. Review of Symptoms and Dental History
What your dentist would like to know is when the discoloration occurred, and if you had any damage or treatment to that tooth. Do you feel any pain, swelling or pain when chewing? The dentist may be able to do some tests or look at your X-ray.
3. Thinking About the Possibility of Further Treatment
Eventually, once the cause is more apparent, the dentist may agree to treat or to keep an eye on it. If there is no change in colour and the examination is normal, then observation is probably all that is needed. If there is trauma or disease present, the dentist can offer to treat if necessary and leave the cosmetic issues until the cause is more definitive.
What to Do After You Notice a Grey Tooth
First, check if the tooth has begun to go grey, and whether it has progressed further in colour change. Second, try to hold the two teeth together and compare their colour under the same light, rather than holding one to two different bulbs or camera filters. Meanwhile, maintain your regular brushing and flossing schedule to protect your teeth. Vigorous scrubbing and strong whitening products generally won’t impact internal colour change. Mention any previous trauma or dental work when booking an assessment with a family dentist in Hendersonville, as it may have played a part in the change. Although home check-off-ers can offer you a clue as to the cause of a grey tooth, there isn’t any specific property at home that can go a long way towards deciding the culprit.
When Is a Grey Tooth Worth Asking About?
Stable is worse than a quick change, but darkening with other symptoms warrants urgent care. Don’t wonder; look for these.
- The tooth may suddenly turn grey, or change gradually over time to dark grey.
- The tooth could have been hit in a sports injury or fall, even if you don’t recall it.
- You might have a toothache when biting. Or perhaps hot or cold food makes your tooth sensitive.
- Your gums might swell, develop a bump, or display other signs.
That’s where your dentist will be able to identify these warning signs and advise on what to do.
A Grey Tooth Has More to Say Than Its Colour
If your tooth is grey, a dental office in Hendersonville can find out what caused the change and what should be done next. The color change could be the result of a past trauma, previous dental restoration, your teeth’s natural properties, or an internal problem. Remembering when the colour change happened, and whether pain or swelling occurred, can help your exam. This information can also help you understand whether treatment or monitoring is recommended for your teeth.
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