A dentist has explained how the colour of your teeth can be a signal for health problems. Many people assume white teeth are the go-to colour for good health, however that isn't always true.
White teeth can still be affected by gum disease or decay, while yellow teeth might be healthy, says Dr Deepa Chopra, a dentist at Whites Dental. The expert said teeth can take on a range of colours, with some healthier than others, and with a number of factors to take into consideration such as how many teeth are affected and what else has been happening that could have an impact.
What different tooth colours can mean
She advised that colours from yellow and grey to white spots and even unusual green staining can often be seen in the mouth with any changes potentially providing clues about what is happening inside the mouth. While many changes in tooth colour are harmless and can be caused by everyday factors such as coffee, tea, smoking or simply getting older, some types of discolouration may be associated with tooth decay, previous trauma or changes to the enamel.
Dr Chopra explained what the colours might mean and why a sudden change to one tooth might be worth paying attention to.
Yellow teeth
Yellow teeth don't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with your oral health. Dr Chopra said: "Teeth naturally vary in colour from person to person, and perfectly healthy teeth aren't necessarily bright white."
"One reason teeth may appear more yellow as we get older is that the enamel can gradually become thinner, allowing more of the naturally yellow dentine underneath to show through. Surface staining from things such as coffee, tea, red wine and smoking could also make teeth appear more yellow over time."
"So yellow teeth alone shouldn't automatically be seen as a sign of poor oral health. What matters more is whether there have been unexplained changes or other symptoms alongside the discolouration."
White spots
Although white teeth are often considered desirable, isolated white patches or spots could have several possible explanations. Dr Chopra explained: "White spots can sometimes be related to how the enamel developed. One possible cause is dental fluorosis, which can occur when developing teeth are exposed to higher levels of fluoride."
"However, a new chalky white area could also potentially be associated with changes in the enamel caused by early tooth decay. That doesn't mean every white mark is a cavity. There are several possible explanations, which is why it may be worth having an unexplained or changing patch assessed rather than trying to diagnose it based on colour alone."
Grey teeth
A tooth suddenly becoming grey, particularly when the surrounding teeth haven't changed colour, could be something to pay closer attention to, said Dr Chopra. She added: "A grey tooth can sometimes be associated with previous trauma to the tooth."
"If the blood supply or nerve inside a tooth has been affected following an injury, the tooth may gradually become darker or take on a greyish appearance. This might happen some time after the original injury, so people don't always immediately connect the two."
"There can be other reasons for grey discolouration, but if one tooth suddenly becomes noticeably darker than the others, particularly following a knock or injury, it would be sensible to have it assessed by a dentist."
Dark marks and green staining
Dark marks on the teeth could simply be surface staining, but in some circumstances they may be associated with decay, said the dentist. She added: "Brown staining can have relatively straightforward causes, including tobacco and heavily pigmented food and drinks."
"However, a brown or black area that appears to be developing within a tooth could potentially indicate decay, particularly if there is also a visible hole, sensitivity or discomfort. Colour alone isn't enough to determine whether somebody has tooth decay, so an unexplained dark area shouldn't automatically be assumed to be a cavity. Equally, it's something that shouldn't simply be ignored if it persists or changes."
Green discolouration is much less common, particularly in adults, but there are circumstances in which teeth could develop a greenish appearance, said Dr Chopra. She added: "Green staining can sometimes occur on the outside of a tooth because of a build-up of certain bacteria and external staining."
"There are also much rarer forms of internal green discolouration which can develop while teeth are forming and may be associated with certain health conditions during childhood. For an adult who suddenly notices green staining, it would be important not to jump to conclusions about the cause. Unusual discolouration can have several explanations and would need to be assessed properly."
Changes to one tooth and white teeth myth
According to Dr Chopra, whether the change affects one tooth or several could be an important distinction. She said: "If all of your teeth are gradually becoming more yellow, lifestyle factors, staining or natural ageing could potentially be involved."
"A noticeable change to a single tooth can be different. Previous trauma, decay or changes inside the tooth are among the possible explanations."
"If you've knocked a tooth in the past and later notice it becoming grey or significantly darker than the teeth around it, that's something I wouldn't recommend simply ignoring."
Dr Chopra said judging someone's oral health purely by how white their teeth appear can be misleading. She added: "There's a misconception that extremely white teeth automatically mean healthy teeth, but natural tooth colour varies considerably."
"Someone could have naturally yellow-toned teeth that are perfectly healthy, while somebody with very white teeth could still experience problems such as gum disease or decay."
"Rather than comparing the shade of your teeth with somebody else's, it's more useful to pay attention to changes in what's normal for you."
"Most tooth discolouration doesn't necessarily indicate a wider health problem. However, a sudden or unexplained colour change, particularly in one tooth or alongside symptoms such as pain, sensitivity or swelling, could be a reason to speak to a dental professional."
