Dark Spot on Your Tooth

Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, spots can still show up. Some kinds of discoloration aren’t a big deal, but a black or dark dot could be a sign of something worse, like tooth decay.

If you have spots or discoloration on your pearly whites, you might wonder why this happens and what you can do to get rid of the spots.

In this article, we’ll talk about what causes these dark spots, how to get rid of them, and how to tell if you have a more serious problem.

What causes a black or dark dot on your tooth?

If you haven’t been using a Sharpie near your mouth, that black dot could mean your tooth is in danger.

If you have a black or brown spot on your tooth, it may be caused by one or more of the following:

• tooth decay or a cavity;
• an injury to the affected tooth;
• tartar buildup on the tooth;
• frequent use of certain foods or drinks, like coffee, tea, soda, or nicotine products, like cigarettes,
• chewing tobacco, and cigars;
• discoloration from taking antibiotics as a child, especially the antibiotic tetracycline;
• fluorosis, which happens when you take too much fluoride;
• medical conditions, like celiac disease;
• or a combination of these things.

What are the telltale signs of a cavity?

Plaque is a sticky substance that forms when food and bacteria build up on your teeth.

If you let plaque build up, the acids in it can eat away at the enamel on the top of your teeth. This can make holes in your teeth.

Some signs of a cavity are:

• a spot or stain on your tooth that is dark
• The tooth is sensitive to both heat and cold.
• a toothache that won’t go away
• a pit or hole in a tooth
• lingering sensitivity to sweet foods or drinks
• pain when I eat

If you have any of these signs, you should see a dentist as soon as possible to stop decay or other problems from getting worse.

Most of the time, fillings are recommended for cavities that are close to the surface and don’t affect the pulp or nerves of the tooth.

When tooth decay gets worse and gets into the soft core below the enamel layer of your tooth, the pulp can become inflamed or infected. When this happens, the decay often needs to be cleaned out with a root canal.

Keep reading : Remove Stains on your Teeth @ Starry Smile Dental Centre Dubai

Can a dark spot be removed?

There are a few ways to get rid of a dark spot or dot on your tooth that isn’t caused by tooth decay.

If a dark spot is caused by staining, it can be taken care of both at home and in a doctor’s office.

A review from 2017 lists the following ways to get rid of dental stains:

• Kits or strips for whitening teeth that use peroxide. Both at-home and in-office teeth whitening can help get rid of stains and make your teeth whiter.
• Prophylaxis of the teeth During this in-office procedure, a prophylactic paste is used to remove plaque and calculus from the teeth (tartar). Abrasives in the toothpaste may also help get rid of stains on the surface of your teeth.
• There are pastes, powders, and liquids that whiten teeth. Using a tooth-whitening paste with fluoride to brush your teeth twice a day can help remove food particles, plaque, and surface stains. Peroxide and baking soda can be used as ingredients. Baking soda is the best abrasive for getting rid of stains.
• Veneers. Some dentists may suggest porcelain veneers or composite bonding to cover up dark spots that won’t go away. This choice is more expensive.

Keep reading : Does Teeth Whitening Cause any Dental Problems ?

How to avoid dark spots on your teeth

Even though dark spots on your teeth are fairly common, you can take steps to prevent them and lower your risk of tooth decay.

Try some of these things to keep your teeth healthy and in good shape:

• Use a whitening fluoride toothpaste when you brush, and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Aim to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes for the best results. You can also use a mouthwash that has alcohol, menthol, or eucalyptol as one of its ingredients. These ingredients can help kill bacteria in your mouth and on your teeth, but they shouldn’t be used instead of brushing and flossing.
• If you eat or drink something that can stain your teeth, like coffee, tea, soda, wine, red sauces, or chocolate, brush your teeth right away.
• Some dentists say to drink coffee or other drinks that can stain your teeth through a straw so that the liquid doesn’t touch your teeth.
• Don’t use nicotine-containing products like cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, or chewing tobacco.
• Every six months, you should go to the dentist for a check-up and cleaning.
• Talk to your dentist about getting your teeth professionally whitened and about any other steps you should take to protect their health.

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The bottom line

Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, spots can still show up.

Some foods and drinks can change the colour of your skin, but this is usually nothing to worry about. But a black dot or spot could be a sign that a tooth is getting sick.

If you see a black or dark spot on your tooth, you should see your dentist right away. They can figure out what’s wrong and give you options.

If the spot is caused by decay, your dentist may suggest a filling, a root canal, or something else. If the dark spot is caused by staining from food, drinks, or nicotine products, your dentist may suggest specific at-home or in-office treatments to get rid of the spot and whiten your teeth.