If you have just noticed that you have a black tooth you might be worried, but the first thing to do is not to panic. When you have a black tooth the best thing to do is to contact a dental professional – who can assess the situation. Luckily, even the more serious causes of a black tooth can usually be fixed through the right dental or orthodontic treatment.
You can recognise a black tooth by sight, which will be darkened and quite obvious. The main causes of black teeth include the following:
- 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.
- Stains: Sometimes stains and marks from tartar, coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco products can cause the appearance of black teeth. If you have any stains causing black teeth and your oral health is fine otherwise, you may be able to get rid of the stains yourself and not require further treatment.
- 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. Root canal treatments do not cause a tooth to turn black.
- Injury: Biting on something hard, sports injuries to the mouth or accidents can all damage the teeth. If a tooth cracks, even slightly, it might be easier for bacteria to enter and infect the tooth. Although injury does not cause black teeth by itself, it may lead to one down the line without treatment.
Treatments for black teeth depend on the underlying cause, but there is an effective treatment option in most cases that will get rid of black teeth permanently. Black teeth can make people nervous, as the treatment may be extensive, which is why we offer specialist services for nervous patients.
If you have concerns about black teeth or other dental issues then make sure you see a dentist as soon as possible. If you are in the south coast region of the UK, please feel free to book an appointment with our friendly team in Brighton and Hove. You will see our amazing team in action when you get in touch with us.
Effective Treatment For Black Teeth
You might not be able to book an appointment with us. Finding friendly, reliable and effective providers of cosmetic or restorative treatments for black teeth can be difficult, especially as you will want a bespoke treatment precisely for your needs. However, we have some simple tips that can help you to more easily spot a reputable dentist – and seek them out for treatment.
To ensure that you get an accurate check-up and high-quality follow-up treatment make sure you look for the following in your dental provider:
- State of the art equipment: A well-equipped clinic is a clear sign that a dental practice has good capabilities. Most dentists will showcase the capabilities of their practice, such as on our clinic page, so look out for details, pictures and further information as a sign of high quality.
- Specialist team members: As the cause of your black tooth may be unknown, you should look for a practice with staff who have multiple areas of specialisation. This way you can ensure that you can more easily get the appropriate treatment in one place.
- Emergency appointments: If a dental practice is ready to deal with an emergency, then you can bet that they will be able to handle a fast assessment and treatment of your black teeth quite easily. If your teeth begin to turn black quickly, an emergency dentist will be the best option.
- Preventative care: A crucial sign of the quality of a dental practice is whether they offer preventative care. Prevention is better than a cure, and offering preventative treatments demonstrates that people running the practice are astute and can spot potential warning signs and other issues.
Whether you have black teeth from a broken tooth that requires fixing with composite resin, a stubborn stain that will respond to a professional cleaning or a rotten tooth that warrants a root canal – the above tips will help you to find the best treatment. Do not compromise on the quality of your dental care.
What Are the Best Tips on How to Prevent Black Teeth?
Black teeth are not considered pleasant to look at and can also occur alongside significant pain in many cases. As a black tooth worsens it can result in further issues below the gum line and other problems, so preventing them from occurring in the first place is the sensible choice.
Once you have had your black teeth treated, the following tips can help to lower the chances of it ever happening again:
- Boost oral hygiene: If black teeth do not inspire you to take better care of your oral health, what will? Taking oral health seriously with proper brushing and flossing will help. Kids can benefit from education in this regard, and parents should ensure their children have good oral hygiene.
- Take care of your gums: People naturally focus on problems with their teeth, but gums can be a significant cause of many dental issues too. Make sure you brush your gums gently as part of your routine, which will ensure you do not develop bleeding gums, and regularly floss between the teeth.
- Try mouthwash or chewing gum: Black teeth caused by stains and the buildup of tartar, plaque and other temporary marks can be alleviated by using mouthwash and special whitening chewing gums. You can also try to avoid certain problem foods that stain your teeth, wherever possible.
The better you take care of your oral health, the less likely you will ever be affected by the problems that result from black teeth – or any other dental issues. The most important thing to do if you want to prevent black teeth is to attend regular check-ups and cleanings, which will ensure your mouth always remains healthy.
Are Black Teeth a Sign of Oral Cancer?
Black teeth by themselves are not normally a sign of oral cancer. However, if they are accompanied by dark patches and spots – often resembling little black triangles – on the cheek this could be a symptom of oral cancer. The inside of the cheeks and lower lip is where cancer of the mouth more commonly develops. If you see these symptoms, with or without black teeth alongside them – you should seek advice from a dentist as soon as possible.
Are Black Teeth a Sign of Addisonās Disease?
Addisonās disease, an endocrine disorder, can cause a darkening of the gums due to hyperpigmentation. However, a black tooth with normal gums is not a common sign of Addisonās disease. Other symptoms of the condition include vitiligo, nausea, vomiting, weight loss abdominal pain and certain behavioural disorders. If you have any of these symptoms you should consult a doctor.
Get an Appointment to Treat Black Teeth
Examining gum tissue and tooth enamel will give a dentist the ability to accurately assess the cause of your black teeth, which may or may not be serious. Treatment varies quite substantially and may involve simple cleaning or better hygiene habits, as well as more extensive work such as a root canal.
We provide a range of high-quality treatments that are ideal for permanently fixing the problems of black teeth. If you are nervous, there is no need to worry as we provide specialist services for nervous patients. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you require an appointment in the Brighton and Hove area today.
01273 900933
hello@hovedentalclinic.co.uk
Mon – Fri: 8:30 – 18:00
Sat: By appointment only
Sun: Closed
