Why Did a Dark Spot Suddenly Appear on My Teeth?

The causes of dark spots on the teeth are varied. They can be benign, or can require treatment from your family dentist. If you have any questions about a persistent or suddenly occurring dark spot on your tooth, you should visit the dental office for a diagnosis.

Causes of Dark Spots on the Teeth

Dark spots can occur on your teeth due to staining of the tooth surfaces, staining of the interior of the tooth, or due to trauma or damage to the tooth’s interior. How your dentist chooses to treat your tooth depends upon the cause of the staining. After your family dentist diagnoses the discoloration, you can decide together what treatment is most appropriate.

Some of the most common causes for dark spots or staining on the teeth include:

• Surface staining
• Cavities
• Intrinsic staining
• Interior damage to the tooth

Surface staining occurs when the tooth is exposed to staining agents like coffee, tea, or nicotine. Intrinsic staining is staining that affects the interior layers of the tooth, and often occurs due to exposure to excessive fluoride or certain medications.

If a cavity occurs on the surface of the tooth, this can sometimes be seen as a dark spot. Damage to the interior of the tooth causes dark spots if blood fills small tubules within the tooth’s dentin, causing a spot that can appear black.

Treatment for Dark Spots on the Teeth

If you have a dark spot on your tooth and are unsure what has caused it, you should visit the dental office for diagnosis. Treatment depends upon the cause of the staining. If your tooth has a cavity, your dentist can fill the cavity. Surface staining can be corrected with teeth whitening.

Intrinsic staining and internal staining due to injury are more difficult to treat. Intrinsic staining responds to some types of teeth whitening, but often a veneer is a more effective treatment. If your tooth has been damaged, it might require a root canal. Your family dentist at Bliss Dental will be able to determine if this treatment is necessary. Call 972-307-7777 to schedule an appointment today.