
If your tooth has been damaged from decay or an accident, there’s a chance that your tooth will turn a darker color. For some people, this color be more of a gray shade, while for others it will be a black color.
Tooth damage has both intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) causes. Damage to the tooth may be the result of decay or an infection inside, while exterior discoloration can occur from tooth staining [1].
How can you prevent a damaged tooth from turning black?
See Your Dentist to Identify the Problem
No matter what’s affected your tooth, your dentist can help you. For teeth that have sustained an impact or deep decay, the interior of the tooth, also known as the pulp, may be affected.
When the inside tissue of the tooth is affected by bacteria, it can cause the tooth to turn a darker color. Decay may also appear as black spots on your teeth [2]!
If your tooth is already turning a darker color, the tooth may be dead. However, if you see your dentist as soon as you’re able, you may be able to save the tooth and avoid an extraction with root canal therapy.
During root canal therapy, your dentist will clean out the dead tissue and seal your tooth, which will help restore its color and prevent it from turning black—and also help you avoid getting an extraction!
Never Wait to Seek Attention
Your tooth may not turn dark as the result of decay, but it could be due to a crack that’s extended down to the pulp of the tooth. Addressed in a timely manner, cracks can typically be repaired and don’t always affect the inner tissue of your tooth, which will help prevent it from turning black.
Waiting to seek dental treatment increases the chances that your damaged tooth will turn black. Even if the damage isn’t the result an interior problem, it could be the result of enamel damage, which still needs to be addressed by your oral healthcare professional to prevent your tooth from turning a darker color [3].
Do You Have a Damaged Tooth?
If your tooth has been damaged for any reason, seeking professional attention can help you prevent it from turning black. Once a tooth has begun to turn a darker color, it can take some time for its white shade to return, even after treatment. But with the right care as soon as possible, you can prevent this darker color entirely so your smile stays bright and healthy for years to come!
Sources:
1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321777.php#causes
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tooth-decay/
3. https://now.tufts.edu/articles/what-causes-discolored-teeth-and-there-any-way-cure-
