What causes a tooth to turn black?

As the tooth gets eaten away, tooth decay sets in. Tooth decay naturally looks black and can give the appearance of a black tooth. This gives the look of rotten teeth and is a classic result of not looking after your teeth for a considerable period of time.

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What happens if your tooth is turning black?

Rotten teeth: A cracked or broken tooth can rot from the inside, which will make it turn black. The black appearance occurs due to the decomposition within the tooth itself. If you have a rotten tooth you will require a root canal.

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Does black tooth mean infection?

Internal causes

For example, a tooth with a pulp infection or a dead tooth may turn black. The damage starts on the inside and works its way to the surface. The black color of the tooth may first appear in spots and eventually cover the entire tooth if a person does not seek treatment.

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How long can a black tooth last?

Once a tooth is damaged or decaying, it's only a matter of time before it dies. Depending on how heavy the damage, the tooth could die within a matter of days or even a couple of months. Darkened or discolored teeth are often the first sign that your tooth is on its way out.

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How do you fix a dark tooth?

How do dentists treat discolored teeth?
  1. Teeth whitening. Dentists may offer in-office or at-home professional teeth whitening treatments. ...
  2. Dental bonding. If you have deep tooth discoloration that doesn't improve with whitening, your dentist may recommend dental bonding. ...
  3. Porcelain veneers. ...
  4. Dental crowns.

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Why is My Tooth Turning Black

20 related questions found

Can a black tooth be saved?

Treatments for a black tooth

Your dentist can usually remove a small amount of tooth around this area, removing the staining and/or decay and placing a some tooth-coloured bonding material over this area. The tooth bonding will blend in naturally with your surrounding teeth, making the repair invisible.

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Can a dark tooth be saved?

A root canal may reverse the discolouration of your tooth by removing the damaged or dead pulp. The tooth will revert to its natural colour.

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Why is my tooth turning black without pain?

One of the main causes of a gray or black tooth is decay, which can develop as excess tartar and plaque build up over time. Fortunately, tooth decay can be reversible in the early stages, but can cause permanent damage to the tooth when it becomes more progressed and causes the tooth to turn black.

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Will a black tooth eventually fall out?

A mortal tooth will ultimately fall out by itself. However, how long it remains in your mouth is challenging to determine. The extent of damage the tooth has incurred may cause it to stay in your mouth for months or years before eventually falling out.

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Are black teeth serious?

Black teeth are a serious problem that has to be treated immediately. It is a symptom of disease beneath the gums. Calcium is the important substance, that gives color to the teeth. Generally, the teeth color changes into whitish -yellow or whitish Grey.

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What does black tooth decay look like?

Tooth Decay

These holes tend to look like small black or brown spots on your teeth. A black spot of tooth decay is usually accompanied by: Persistent pain or toothache. Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and sugary foods or drinks.

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Can a black tooth make you sick?

The short answer is yes — if left untreated, rotting teeth can lead to stomach issues if the infection infiltrates your bloodstream.

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Does a black tooth need a root canal?

Has one of your teeth suddenly turned grey or black? While some tooth discoloration is common, and can be amended with a teeth whitening treatment, having a severely discolored tooth is indicative of severe tooth decay or the breakdown of internal tissue and might be a sign that root canal treatment is needed.

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What drug makes your teeth turn black?

Methamphetamine users have black or stained and rotting teeth. Most often these teeth cannot be saved.

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What does the beginning of a dead tooth look like?

A dying tooth may appear yellow, light brown, gray, or even black. It may look almost as if the tooth is bruised. The discoloration will increase over time as the tooth continues to decay and the nerve dies. If you experience any symptoms of a dying tooth, it's important to see your dentist right away.

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What happens before a tooth dies?

Tooth decay begins on the outermost layer of the tooth, but over time it can cause cavities that penetrate into the deeper layers. If these cavities are left untreated, they can eventually reach the pulp and create a pathway for bacteria to enter the tooth and cause the nerve to die.

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What happens if a dead tooth is not removed?

The empty space inside dead teeth is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, the perfect setting for an infection. You could also end up with a painful abscess. With treatment, you can avoid both these issues.

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Does a dead tooth smell?

Do you think you or someone you know may have a dead tooth? The first thing you and others close to you will notice is the smell. Similar to fruits and vegetables you bought and never ate, your tooth gets rotten and starts to release a foul smell.

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How long does it take for a tooth to turn dark?

It's important to note that the discoloration will not occur immediately after the injury. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the tooth to start becoming darker.

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What can I put on a black tooth?

Use mouthwash daily – black teeth caused by stains and the build-up of tartar, plaque and other temporary marks can be alleviated by using mouthwash and special whitening chewing gums.

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Is black on teeth always a cavity?

Black spots on teeth can be caused by tartar buildup, aging, genetics, tobacco use, certain foods, antibiotics, fluorosis, and more. Cavities are different from staining and can be identified by changes to the tooth's surface. Most black spots from staining are not harmful, but should be checked by a dentist.

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Can a black tooth smell?

A rotten tooth can cause many expensive oral health problems, but is bad breath one of them? Absolutely. As odd as it might seem, just as you can smell the odor coming off of a rotting piece of fruit, you can smell the odor released from a rotting tooth.

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Can a tooth infection spread to the brain?

If you have a tooth abscess, you could develop meningitis. This life-threatening condition occurs when the membranes near the spinal cord and the brain become inflamed. This bacterial infection could spread to the bloodstream and surround your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis could require extensive hospitalization.

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