Reviewed by Dr. Paul Rubin
Reading time: four minutes.
If your child’s tooth has suddenly turned grey, it’s normal to be concerned. The good news? A grey tooth doesn’t always mean something serious is wrong. Sometimes the discoloration fades on its own, but in other cases, it may point to a deeper issue that needs a dentist’s attention.
In this blog, we will cover what causes grey teeth in young children, when to take action, and how your pediatric dentist can help protect your child’s developing smile.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
A grey baby tooth may turn white again if the discoloration is temporary, but if the pulp is damaged or dead, the grey color is usually permanent. The only way to know for sure is to schedule an exam with your pediatric dentist.
| Pediatric Dental Care in Frisco, TXAt Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Frisco, we specialize in early childhood dental care, including concerns about discolored baby teeth, tooth trauma, and routine checkups. If your child has a grey tooth, we will determine the cause, monitor changes, and provide the right care to protect their smile and long-term oral health. |
What Causes Grey Teeth in Toddlers?
A grey tooth usually means that something affected the inner structure of the tooth (the pulp tissue). Here are the most common causes:
- Dental trauma: A bump or fall can damage the blood vessels inside the tooth. This causes bleeding within the pulp, leading to a grey, dark, or even black appearance.
- Pulp necrosis: If the blood supply is severely disrupted, the nerve may die, resulting in permanent tooth discoloration.
- Tooth decay: Although rare, untreated cavities can darken a baby tooth and compromise oral health.
- Natural variations: Some children may have thinner enamel that makes the underlying dentin more visible, especially after minor injury.
- Tetracycline exposure during pregnancy: If a mother took certain antibiotics while pregnant, the child’s baby teeth may develop with discoloration from the start.
Can a Grey Baby Tooth Turn White Again?
It depends on what’s causing the discoloration and whether the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) is damaged.
A baby tooth may return to its normal color if:
- The trauma is mild and the nerve stays healthy: If the grey color is due to minor bleeding inside the tooth and the pulp heals, the discoloration may fade over time, typically within a few weeks or months.
- There’s enamel bruising without nerve damage: Minor bumps that don’t affect the pulp can cause temporary greying. In these cases, the tooth often returns to its original color.
However, the grey color is usually permanent if:
- The pulp has died (pulp necrosis): When the nerve loses blood supply, the tooth darkens and won’t regain its color.
- There’s tooth decay or infection: These issues won’t resolve without treatment and need to be addressed by a pediatric dentist.
In both cases, pediatric dentists can take an X-ray to determine the status of the pulp and recommend the right treatment options.
What To Do If Your Toddler Has a Grey Tooth
Worried about a discolored tooth? Here’s what to do:
✅ Schedule a Pediatric Dental Exam
Don’t wait and see, have the tooth evaluated by a pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Even without pain, a grey tooth could signal underlying damage. Early care helps protect healthy teeth.
👀 Watch for Other Symptoms
Keep an eye out for signs of infection or nerve damage, such as:
- Swelling or redness around the tooth
- Pain or sensitivity
- A pimple-like bump on the gums
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek dental care right away.
🚫 Skip At-Home Whitening
There’s no safe or effective way to whiten a grey baby tooth at home. Whitening strips, gels, and toothpastes can harm your toddler’s teeth and won’t fix the root cause
Treatment Options for Grey Baby Teeth
Not all grey baby teeth need treatment, but when they do, your child’s dentist will recommend an approach based on the tooth’s condition and your child’s overall oral health. Common options include:
- Monitoring: If the baby tooth is stable and only mildly discolored, your dentist may suggest monitoring its condition over time.
- Pulp therapy: If the pulp tissue is partially damaged, your child may need a baby root canal. These types of root canals are safe and preserve the primary teeth.
- Tooth extraction: If the grey tooth is infected or causing problems for neighboring teeth or the permanent tooth beneath it, tooth extraction may be the best option.
- Tooth-colored crowns: For visible front teeth, a crown can restore a natural appearance while keeping the structure intact.
How to Prevent Grey Teeth in Children
While not all dental injuries can be avoided, there are simple habits that can help lower the risk of tooth discoloration and protect your child’s smile:
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste twice daily to support healthy teeth.
- Avoid putting toddlers to bed with a bottle: This helps prevent decay and damage to the primary teeth.
- Start dental visits early: The first dental checkup should happen by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth to monitor the development of baby teeth.
Schedule a Pediatric Dental Exam in Frisco Today
If your toddler has a grey tooth, let our experienced team at Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Frisco assess the cause and guide you through the best solution. We specialize in caring for developing smiles and helping Frisco families feel confident about their child’s oral health.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Frisco, call (214) 618-5200 or visit us at 6801 Warren Parkway, Ste 115, Frisco, TX.
📍Other locations
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in McKinney, TX
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Prosper, TX
FAQs
If the tooth is discolored due to mild trauma but the nerve is still healthy, the grey color may fade on its own over time. In other cases, if there’s minor damage to the pulp, a baby root canal (pulp therapy) can help preserve the tooth and prevent future problems.
It depends. If the grey color results from minor trauma and the blood supply remains intact, the tooth color may gradually return to normal. However, permanent discoloration is more likely if the pulp is damaged.
If the tooth isn’t infected, it may be left in place to hold space for the adult tooth. But if there’s risk of infection or damage, extraction may be recommended.
Additional Resources
Are Your Kid’s Teeth Yellow? Here’s What Could Be Going On
Is a Black Spot on a Tooth Normal? What Parents Need to Know