Black discoloration under your teeth is a sign of a serious underlying dental issue that requires professional attention from a dentist. It is most commonly caused by black tartar (calculus) buildup, tooth decay, or a dead or dying tooth.
When plaque stays on the teeth, it hardens and becomes tartar. Your tartar can turn black when it remains untreated, creating black stains along the gumline. Cavities can also cause black spots on and between your teeth, while black tartar is typically along the bottom of the teeth by your gums.
Black teeth cannot be treated completely by using at-home teeth whitening kits or natural remedies. Therefore, it is best that you visit a dentist to accurately detect the cause and seek proper treatment. If it is the tartar that causes your teeth to turn black, your dentist will whiten them by removing the tartar.
Professional Methods for Removing Black Stains
Treatment options for black teeth may include: Professional Cleaning—If the dark color is due to tartar or surface stains, a dental cleaning or teeth polishing may be all that's needed. Teeth Whitening—For certain surface stains, professional teeth whitening in Chandler can help restore your teeth's natural color.
When this happens, it can leave a rough or sharp area behind. It might be tempting to remove more tartar on your own. But doing this can damage your teeth and gums. Call your dentist if you notice tartar breaking off your teeth.
Discoloration: A dead tooth often looks yellow, grey, or slightly black. Smell: A dead tooth sometimes smells bad or causes a bad taste in your mouth. This is from tooth decay or other infection. Pain: This pain comes from inflammation and infection in the pulp cavity or surrounding bone.
No, tooth enamel can't fully regenerate once lost, but early damage can be repaired through remineralization, where minerals strengthen weakened enamel using fluoride and calcium. For severe loss, dentists use fillings, veneers, or crowns; however, new scientific breakthroughs with gels and proteins show promise for future enamel regrowth.
A black tooth usually signifies that a tooth has died. A root canal or dental crown might be likely your best next step.
While it is not recommended to scrape tartar off your own teeth, there are safe and effective ways to remove and prevent it at home. Ensure to brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Vitamin B12 deficiency — This essential vitamin helps eliminate bacteria in your mouth, preventing plaque from building up and causing tooth discoloration. If your teeth are stained and your gums are unusually red, you may need to incorporate more B12 into your diet.
The "333 dental rule" refers to two different concepts: a hygiene guideline (brush 3 times a day for 3 minutes, replace brush every 3 months) and a temporary toothache relief method (take 3 ibuprofen tablets, 3 times a day, for 3 days). The hygiene rule promotes better habits, while the pain management rule helps control inflammation and pain before a dental visit, but requires caution as it's not a cure.
Patients with Restorations
If you have multiple restorations such as fillings, crowns, veneers, or dental bonding, teeth whitening may not be suitable. These materials do not whiten. Whitening can make your natural teeth and restorations have uneven color.
If tartar is still left untreated, it can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, receding gums, gingivitis, and additional damage to teeth. Most importantly, once plaque makes the transition to tartar, it is more difficult to remove from teeth, and requires the intervention of a dentist to fully remove the buildup.
In most cases, a black tooth signifies a dead tooth and in cases like these, a root canal (£755), dental crown (from £1,375) or tooth extraction (from £199) might be your only viable option. Black pockets between teeth or black triangles form when the gums begin to recede due to advanced gum disease and decay.
Tooth decay: One of the leading causes of teeth turning black is tooth decay, which can result from the build-up of plaque and tartar. Poor oral hygiene can result in tooth decay, although this is reversible in the early stages. However, when teeth turn black further treatment is necessary.
While it may seem like a good idea to remove tartar on your own, the risk of harming your teeth or gums if you're using anything other than floss or a toothbrush is high.
You've Had a Large Filling That's Wearing Down
If you've had a cavity filled years ago and the filling is breaking down, your tooth may become vulnerable to fractures. A dental crown provides better protection than a filling by covering the entire tooth, ensuring long-term durability.
Some signs may include:
Sugary & fizzy drinks
These drinks are packed with sugar and acids that weaken enamel and cause decay. Worst offenders: Cola, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened iced tea. Even sugar-free fizzy drinks can be harmful due to their high acid content.
Enamel Strengthening Foods
Simple Extraction: Typically ranges from $75 to $250. Surgical Extraction: Usually costs between $150 and $650. Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Can range from $120 to $800 per tooth, depending on complexity and whether the tooth is impacted.
As the blood supply is disrupted and the tooth begins to die, that tooth may become gray in color, although we've witnessed some dead teeth in shades of yellow, brown or even black, if left unchecked for too long.