You were playing basketball, took an unexpected hit, and now one of your teeth looks completely different. What started as a small bump has turned into a gray or darker-colored tooth, and you’re understandably worried.
Is this normal? Should you be concerned? Don’t panic. Tooth discoloration after an injury is actually pretty common, and understanding what’s happening can help you take the right next steps for your dental health.
What Actually Happens When a Tooth Gets Traumatized?
When a tooth experiences an unexpected blow, it is very much like being hit in the body. But this is an injury that occurs on the inside of the tooth and can bypass the entire outside of it. Think of the tiny blood vessels jostled and compressed within your tooth that got the jolt during an accident or sports injury. These internal blood vessels can be (and very often are) injured, creating an actual bruise under the surface of the tooth that can take about as long as a bruise on your arm to heal.
Similar to a bruise on the skin that changes color, a tooth can do the same thing internally. This change in color might be concerning—a signal that the tooth is injured in a way that is not visible on the outside. If the tooth was hit hard enough, it might have bled internally. That bleeding could be causing the color change you noticed. But why would a tooth bleed, and what would be causing it to do so?
Different Types of Color Changes and What They Mean
After your tooth gets injured, you may see many kinds of color transformations. The injured tooth might look slightly gray; it could be turning brownish; or it could be dark yellow, for all we know. Each of these colors tells a different, mostly fictional, story about the potential color transformations that may have happened after your tooth got injured.
Here’s what you need to understand: not every color change signals irreversible harm, but all of them necessitate a pro’s look-see. When your tooth changes color, it might as well have a sign on it that says, “I’m in trouble, and you should pay attention to me!” We’ve had many patients come in from Houston, TX who thought their tooth was just undergoing a weird phase, when really, it was covering up a significant problem that had the potential to affect other teeth.
How Long Does Tooth Discoloration Last?
Tooth color changes might fade on their own, but waiting and hoping isn’t the best strategy. Discoloration may be a temporary response to injury, and if so, the tooth could be structurally intact. But only a professional can determine that.
A few weeks after the injury, we suggest having an examination performed at LifeWorks Dental. Your dentist can conduct certain tests that are specific to this type of diagnosis.
From them, he or she can ascertain whether the nerve and blood supply to the tooth are permanently affected. Or, the tests can determine whether the tooth is just temporarily nonfunctional.
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When You Need to See a Dentist
A number of unmistakable indications suggest that it’s time to make a dental appointment:
- Color change in the tooth is dramatic.
- Eating or drinking causes pain.
- The tooth feels loose and different from before.
- The affected area has noticeable sensitivity.
Don’t wait if you’re feeling any of these symptoms. Early intervention can prevent more serious complications and potentially save the tooth from further damage. You can find our office location on Google Maps for convenient access.
A Word of Caution
If you’re seeing consistent color changes or feeling ongoing pain, it makes sense to see a doctor. An issue that looks small and not too concerning could be the first sign of a serious problem.
Your teeth may be tough, but they need professional care when you hurt them. Each tooth has a tale to tell, and when it changes color, it’s usually trying to say, “Help!”
Tooth injuries can be scary, but they’re manageable with the right care. At Lifeworks Dental, we’ve helped Houston patients navigate these exact situations for years.
Don’t ignore that color change-schedule a quick check-up and get peace of mind. When in doubt, have a professional take a look. Every tooth is different, and personalized care makes all the difference.
