White, shiny teeth are something that nearly everyone aspires to. But what happens when they start turning weird shades like blue or gray? Here’s what could be behind this unusual discoloration, and what your cosmetic dentist can do to correct it!
Enamel Defects
When you look at someone’s smile and see beautiful, white teeth, what you’re usually seeing is clean, healthy enamel. Unfortunately, however, enamel defects can cause the teeth to appear discolored, even if they’re clean. This can result in a range of hues from yellow to brown. In fact, one rare condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta, which is caused by a genetic mutation, may even make them look blue or gray!
Dead Nerves
When the nerves inside your tooth die, it can cause it to turn blue, gray, pink or even black. If left untreated, it may even result in an infection or abscess, which could require a root canal or extraction, so it’s important to be seen by a dentist right away. Then, after treatment if your tooth still looks a little off-colored, they can help bring back its normal hue with cosmetic dentistry!
Early Exposure to Antibiotics
Babies exposed to the antibiotic tetracycline in the womb or as a young child may be more likely to develop blue, gray, yellow, or brown stained teeth, sometimes with horizontal striping, as they grow.
Retiring Restorations
Old-fashioned amalgam metal restorations were long the gold-standard for repairing damaged teeth. Unfortunately, however, they also had plenty of drawbacks including visibility through the enamel which resulted in making the teeth appear blue or gray. Thankfully, today’s tooth-colored fillings do not carry this risk and have many other incredible benefits over their metal predecessors.
How to Whiten Gray or Blue Teeth
While your exact treatment options depend on the type and severity of the discoloration, in some cases, professional whitening may be able to help restore your teeth to their original color. However, because some of the causes of gray or blue teeth aren’t located within the enamel, you may be more successful treating them with veneers or cosmetic dental bonding, which covers the enamel and changes the shade from the outside.
Remember, there are a variety of reasons your teeth may appear gray, but regardless of the cause, there’s a cosmetic dentistry treatment that can help make them look whiter and brighter! To discuss your options, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Our Practice
At Frandsen Dental of Orem, Dr. Brian Frandsen and the team are proud to offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry options that can restore the white, bright hue to your gorgeous grin. Whether you’ve got enamel defects, are a lifelong smoker, or you have discoloration due to medication use, we have a solution to help. To learn more about your options, schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry today by visiting our website or calling 801-224-7900.