‘My Tooth Is Turning Blue (or Grey)’: Here’s What To Do
It is always alarming to see some stains or shaded markings on our teeth. For most, yellow or tea-coloured hues earn little more than a shrug. These stain marks are, after all, very common and can be easily cleared away with teeth-whitening treatments. Some shades, like blue or grey tones, tend to cause a little bit more concern – and they should.
When your tooth transforms from its usual white-beige tone and develops a deep blue or grey undertone, it usually means that something is wrong. Let’s take a look at what to do if you spot this type of unusual discolouration.
What Causes Teeth To Turn Greyish Blue?
When tooth discolouration isn’t linked to food staining, the problem often comes from inside. A blue-grey tint is especially likely to indicate that there is some type of blood flow or nerve problem inside the tooth. This can be the case even if you are not feeling any type of pain. This type of problem can be triggered by several factors like the following;
Trauma – A hard knock to the tooth might have cut off some of the blood flow to the tooth. This can cause the nerves to start dying – sometimes years after the initial incident.
Decay – Your tooth might have some deep cavities that are extending all the way to the interior pulp. As the nerves and tissue inside start dying out, the hue of the tooth starts to change.
Restoration Work – Some previous restorative treatments could be causing the discolouration. Silver fillings can sometimes make teeth look a little bit greyish. Some types of dental work can also cast a dark or grey shadow, which can make the tooth look a little bit different from the rest. With old root canals, teeth can also turn a little bit bluish since the interior pulp, nerves, and blood flow have been removed.
Age – The enamel coating over your teeth thins out over the years. This can make your teeth look a little bit different than they used to.
Medication – Some medications can also alter the shade of your teeth.
What to Do When Your Tooth Turns Blue Or Grey
It is best not to keep ignoring that light blue tint of your tooth for too long. Don’t wait until the tooth starts becoming sensitive or painful. It is best to visit your Newtown dentist and get a checkup. Dentists can only save a problematic tooth if the damage is caught early enough. Your dental caregiver will do a quick assessment, which might include the following procedures:
- First, your tooth and surrounding gums will be examined.
- Your dentist will ask plenty of questions about your dental health or potential trauma that the tooth might have sustained.
- In most cases, dentists will ask to do some X-rays to determine if the condition needs intervention.
- The tooth’s nerves and blood supply will be assessed.
- Your Newtown dentist will make a diagnosis and recommend a suitable treatment.
How Are Blue or Grey Teeth Usually Treated?
The treatment usually depends on the condition. In some cases, like when previous treatments cause the discolouration, your dentist might recommend veneering or some other coating. In other cases, dentists might recommend a treatment for decay and some restorative procedures. Sometimes, internal or external tooth whitening can resolve the problem. It all depends on the root cause of the bluish colour, how apparent the discolouration is, and the treatments that might be needed to save the tooth.
Get Your Tooth Checked By a Newtown Dentist
If you notice any shade variations in your teeth, then it is always better to get a professional to have a look at your teeth. At Blue Tooth Dental, we see all sorts of toothy problems, and we have all the resources on hand to treat, overcome, and restore any type of dental issue. Our dental clinic also specialises in cosmetic dentistry and can recommend some procedures to conceal the discolouration.
Contact Blue Tooth Dental now and find out exactly why your tooth is turning blue or grey.
