100 Worcester Street, Suite 50 | Grafton, MA 01536

Is Tooth Discoloration Cosmetic or a Sign of Something Else?

Illustration of a happy white tooth next to a sad yellow discolored tooth against a blue background

Have you recently noticed a change in the color of your smile? The good news is that there are several options when it comes to whitening your teeth, such as professional teeth whitening, veneers, and dental crowns. The not-so-good news is that in some cases tooth discoloration could be a sign of more concerning dental issues. Here are a few situations in which tooth discoloration may be cause for worry.

Sudden Discoloration

If your smile is typically pearly white but you’ve all of a sudden noticed that your teeth have changed shades, you might want to schedule a dental exam. Purely cosmetic discoloration tends to happen slowly over a long period of time, while rapid discoloration can indicate an underlying problem.

Only One Discolored Tooth

When the nerve inside a tooth dies, it can cause the tooth to turn gray, brown, or even black. If you have one tooth growing darker in color while the rest of your smile remains unaffected, you might have a dead tooth. Treatment for a dead tooth may require root canal therapy so it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection.

Discoloration with Other Symptoms

If you are experiencing other symptoms in addition to tooth discoloration, such as oral pain or swelling, let your dentist know. Tooth discoloration can be related to other health conditions like vitamin deficiencies, liver disease, or eating disorders.

Dental Exams & Teeth Whitening in Grafton, MA

No matter the cause of your dental concerns, our team at Grafton Dental Care is here to help. We conduct comprehensive dental exams to make sure that your smile is in good health. We also offer professional teeth whitening to keep your smile sparkling. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at Grafton Dental Care! We look forward to hearing from you.

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