Several things can cause teeth to look stained, such as smoking cigarettes or consuming highly pigmented foods and beverages like berries, dark sodas, coffee, tea, and red wine. Though you may think of discolored teeth as being yellow or brown in color, sometimes they’re gray instead. Read on to learn about five things that may cause this as well as what your dentist can do to help.

#1: Dentinogenesis Imperfecta

This is a rare tooth development disorder that’s hereditary and may lead to gray or blue primary and permanent teeth. Additionally, dentinogenesis imperfecta can make one’s teeth weaker than normal. This makes them more susceptible to chips, breaks, and other forms of damage.

#2: Dental Restorations

If you have a dental crown, fillings, or any other restorations that have metal in them, this can cause your teeth to look blue or gray. This issue is more common in older dental restorations. Fortunately, it can be corrected by having the old restoration replaced.

#3: Tetracycline

This antibiotic is often used to fight infections. The Journal of International Oral Health reported that fetuses who were exposed to this antibiotic may have discolored adult teeth. This discoloration appears as horizontal stripes that are either bluish-gray or yellowish-brown.

#4: Aging

Some people have a genetic predisposition to thin tooth enamel, but it also wears away naturally with age. Things like consuming too many things that contain a lot of sugar and acid, grinding one’s teeth, and acid reflux are all contributing factors. This can cause the dentin, which is the naturally yellow layer of the tooth under the enamel, to give your smile a yellow or grayish-blue appearance.

#5: Dead Teeth

Trauma from an injury and severe dental decay are two reasons why teeth may die. If one or more of your teeth turn blue or gray, this may be a sign that they have died. In this case, you will have to receive root canal therapy to save the tooth or to have them extracted. Since it can take several years for dental discoloration to appear, this may make it hard for you to determine the cause.

3 Treatments for Gray Teeth

Having gray teeth can give your smile a less-than-appealing look. Luckily, there are several restorative and cosmetic dental treatments that your dentist can treat the issue to revitalize your smile. A few ways that your dentist may correct gray teeth include:

• Porcelain veneers
• Teeth whitening
• Dental crowns
• Dental filling

If you have gray teeth that you’re interested in having fixed, set up an appointment with your dentist. They’ll be able to detail their service offerings so you can be on your way to a lovelier smile!

About the Author

If you live in Dix Hills and are in search of a quality dental office, look no further than Dr. Raj Gaur, Dr. Shubha Soni-Gaur, and their talented team. They offer restorative, cosmetic, and preventive treatments, including solutions for gray teeth like porcelain veneers, fillings, crowns, and teeth whitening. To schedule a consultation with Dix Hills Family Dentistry or for more information on their services, visit their website or call their office at (631) 673-8040.