Imagine looking in the mirror one morning and finding that one of your teeth has turned black. That’s exactly what happens to many people, but no matter how many people experience it, that doesn’t make it normal. Healthy teeth are shades of white, and any discoloration that makes a tooth appear black should be evaluated by yourdentist in Brandon, FL.

What Makes a Tooth Turn Black?

There are several reasons why a tooth can appear black, and none of them are good.

Staining

The simplest explanation is staining. It’s possible the tooth slowly darkened due to staining. Many prescription medications cause discoloration of the teeth, and sometimes it’s permanent. Tobacco use notoriously stains teeth; it’s the nicotine that’s the culprit. If your dentist determines that the cause is staining, professional teeth whitening may be recommended. If the stains won’t yield, then you may consider gettingveneers in Brandon, FL to cover up the discoloration.

Decay

The tooth may be black due to decay. With severe decay, blood flow is inhibited to the tooth. Without nutrients from the bloodstream, the tooth develops what’s called necrosis. Essentially, this means the tooth is dying or dead. If this is the cause of the blackened tooth, it will most likely need to be extracted.

Trauma

If you’ve had trauma to the tooth for any reason, such as a motor vehicle accident, physical altercation or sports injury, that can inhibit the blood supply, too. Again, since the tooth isn’t getting vital nutrients, it may need to be extracted.

Tooth blackening usually happens over time, not overnight. If you notice one of your teeth is darker than the others, even if it’s a subtle difference, book an appointment with your dentist. With early intervention, the tooth might be saved.