If one or more of your teeth are a dark color, it can cause feelings of self-consciousness and may even affect your self-esteem. However, it can also be a sign of something more serious or dangerous. There are many things that can cause a dark-colored tooth, and they are not all serious. Dr. Edward Knight can help you determine if your dark tooth is something you should be concerned about. Schedule a consultation with Knight Dental Care in Midland, MI today to find out more.

What can cause a dark-colored tooth?

Many things can affect your teeth and cause one or more of them to become dark. However, while some are serious, not all of them are. Some of these issues include:

  • Trauma to the tooth: If you have experienced trauma to a tooth, it can cause the tooth to become dark in color. However, this does not mean the injury is serious. This darkening can be similar to a bruise on your tooth. If this happens, the affected tooth can return to its normal color.
  • Tooth decay: Tooth decay typically starts as bright white spots on your teeth; however, as the decay progresses, it can appear dark. Eventually, the entire tooth could look darker than those surrounding it.
  • Uneven staining: Most of the time, staining occurs evenly across your teeth. However, certain habits can cause staining to become uneven. For example, smoking cigarettes can cause the front of your teeth to become stained. Drinking coffee regularly can have the same effects.
  • Rotting teeth: A broken or cracked tooth can cause your tooth to begin to rot from the inside. The dark or even black color that occurs during this process is the tooth decomposing.

Many of these issues can be prevented with regular dental exams and cleanings to catch issues early and ensure your teeth are in good condition. Dr. Knight and his team can help to catch and treat dental issues before they become more severe.

How can dental exams and cleanings help prevent dark teeth?

If you attend regular dental exams and cleanings, you can get treatment for issues such as tooth decay and rotting teeth before they become serious issues. If you go to the dentist as soon as you receive dental trauma, you can reduce your risk of developing dark teeth from trauma. Dental cleanings can help with uneven staining, but professional tooth whitening can help lighten your teeth up to multiple shades. There are many reasons your tooth may become dark, but dental exams and cleanings can help fix and even prevent this from occurring.

Get a dark tooth examined in Midland, MI

A dark tooth, while scary, does not always mean that you have a serious issue. Sometimes, a dark tooth just means you injured your tooth and it needs time to heal, or you have uneven staining. More serious causes can be detected and treated at semi-annual dental exams and cleanings if you attend them regularly. Dr. Edward Knight can help you find the best possible treatment for your dental goals and needs. Contact Knight Dental Care in Midland, MI today for a full consultation on the overall state of your oral and dental health.