A black tooth inside often signals serious issues like a dead nerve from trauma or deep decay (pulp necrosis), where the inner pulp tissue dies and decomposes, causing discoloration from the inside out. Other causes include old metal fillings (amalgam), deep cavities, or even some medications, but internal death of the pulp (due to infection or injury) is a key reason for an internal black appearance. You need to see a dentist immediately for diagnosis and treatment, as this usually indicates a problem needing professional attention, like a root canal.
If your dentist determines those black dots on your teeth aren't connected to an underlying oral condition, you won't need treatment. If the spots are the result of tooth decay, your dentist will clean out the decayed portion of the tooth and fill it with dental filling material.
It's important to involve a dental professional as early as possible so every effort can be made to save your tooth and help prevent it from requiring extraction. The most serious cases of black tooth can be fixed with the right treatment, but treatment must be sought before the point of no return is reached.
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.
Will a dead tooth go black? If a dead tooth is left untreated, it will go black as the internal tooth tissue dies and decomposes. If the dead tooth has been root treated with a tooth-coloured treatment, the tooth may not go completely black, although it may darken slightly.
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.
Care and Treatment
There are several causes of cavities, including bacteria in your mouth, snacking a lot, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well.
Symptoms. Filling: Mild discomfort, small visible cavity, or sensitivity to sugary foods. Root Canal: Severe and lingering pain, swelling, or visible signs of infection.
Understanding Black Tooth
This discoloration can result from untreated dental decay, trauma, or pulp necrosis, where the tooth's inner tissue deteriorates. These issues compromise the tooth's structure and may lead to further complications like infection or tooth loss if left untreated.
Rinse but do not brush
There could be bleeding when there is a broken tooth. The person should rinse with warm water to flush out the blood. This will also keep the area clean. However, the individual should not brush the fractured tooth.
Poor oral hygiene: Lack of proper brushing and flossing can lead to the buildup of dental plaque and stains on the teeth, causing them to appear black or discoloured.
Once the decay extends to the nerves and blood vessels, you may experience severe pain due to infections and increased sensitivity. Since a black tooth caused by a cavity is a sign of severe decay and damage, you'll need urgent dental care.
Pain or discomfort with the pressure of chewing or biting. Fever. Swelling in your face, cheek or neck that may lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing. Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck.
Toothpaste can prevent and slow cavities but not remove them. Fluoride toothpaste is scientifically proven to strengthen enamel and prevent decay. Brushing too hard can wear down enamel and cause more harm than good. Cavities often don't cause pain in the early stages.
This stage typically leads to sensitivity or pain in the affected tooth, making it vital to consult a dental professional. Stage 3: Dentin Decay – When decay advances beyond the enamel into the dentin layer, treatment becomes necessary. Patients may experience increased pain and discomfort as the decay progresses.
Biggest Tooth Decay Causing Snacks
Colgate Cavity Protection: A classic choice that's been trusted for decades. It uses sodium monofluorophosphate to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities effectively. Sensodyne Pronamel: Perfect for those with sensitive teeth, this toothpaste offers cavity protection while strengthening enamel weakened by acid erosion.
A tooth turning black without pain may seem harmless, but it often signals changes inside the tooth that require attention. Whether caused by staining, decay, trauma, or nerve death, professional evaluation is the safest approach. If you notice a tooth darkening, don't wait for pain to appear.
Early Symptoms of a Bacterial Gum Infection
It often presents with mild symptoms, which may include: Red, swollen, or tender gums. Bleeding during brushing or flossing. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.
Swelling and tenderness: Swelling and tenderness around the treated tooth or in the surrounding gums can indicate a failed root canal. This is often accompanied by sensitivity to touch or pressure in the affected area.
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.