Black Teeth

A black tooth can be characterised by a tooth which is black, blue or grey in appearance. Black teeth can be both caused by external and internal conditions which cause the tooth to progressively turn a different colour.

What causes black teeth?

There are a handful of factors that can cause a tooth to turn black. It is important to note that the tooth can turn black both internally and externally. Meaning the cause of a black tooth can vary from case to case:

• Trauma to the tooth can cause the root inside to die, leading to the tooth turning black or blue.
• Decay, cavities and carries all can eat away the enamel leaving the affected area a dark colour.
• Genetics can play a part in the natural colour of your tooth, in some cases, people may have naturally blue-grey teeth.
• Staining from foods and drinks containing staining pigments.
• Staining from smoking, vaping or chewing betel.
• Dental work such as fillings and crowns can give the appearance of a black tooth, this is just the colour of amalgam typically used for them.
• Medications such as iron supplements can in some cases stain the teeth.
• Tartar can be black due to all the bacteria.

How to prevent black teeth?

Making sure your oral health is upheld is vital to the prevention of a black tooth. You should be flossing at least once a day and brushing twice for no less than two minutes. Keeping consistent with taking care of your teeth is one of the most effective preventatives for most oral conditions.

Making these adjustments can also help prevent you from getting a black tooth:

• Reducing your sugar intake with food and drinks.
• Limiting your consumption of highly pigmented foods.
• Attending routine check-ups with your dentist. When trauma occurs, you should be immediately making an appointment in order to prioritise the health of your tooth.
• Looking into different material options for fillings.
• Quitting smoking products.
• Discuss with your GP the side effects of current medication and explore alternatives.

How to treat black teeth?

Black teeth cannot be treated at home, you must let a dentist perform any corrective treatments for the preservation of your teeth.  Once at the dentist, they will assess the mouth and determine the underlying cause of your black teeth. They will then outline the best form of treatment for your case.

Here are some of the treatments that are used for black teeth:

Whitening – This will likely be suggested if every tooth is discoloured from staining.

Scale and polish – This is done when there is poor hygiene, this can be used to remove black tartar.

Fillings – For those with decay, the dentist will clean the area, remove the rotted area, and reconstruct the tooth. It is here that you can discuss different material options.

Crowns – Irreversible decay sometimes means the tooth is unable to be reconstructed using just a filling. A crown is a cap that is fitted on top of the affected tooth.

How to spot a black tooth/ symptoms

A black tooth is easy to spot, the main characteristic of a black tooth is the appearance which can vary from black, dark pink, grey or blue. The tooth may have just tiny patches of discolouration or the entire tooth and surrounding teeth can be affected.

Some may experience sensitivity or pain in the area which may be triggered by pressure or hot and cold foods. The gums in the area may be tender, swollen or bleeding as a result.

It is important to contact your dentist if you think you have a black tooth, if caught early your dentist may be able to prevent any long-term damage from occurring.