Gray teeth can be surprising, especially if you’ve always had a bright smile. Discoloration can affect a single tooth or your entire smile, and understanding the cause is key to finding the right solution. Common reasons for gray teeth include trauma, aging, certain medications, and underlying dental conditions.

Trauma to a tooth, such as a blow or injury, can cause internal bleeding or damage the pulp, leading to a gray or darkened appearance. Aging naturally thins the enamel, allowing the yellow or grayish dentin underneath to show through. Certain medications, like tetracycline taken during tooth development, can also result in permanent gray staining. In some cases, decay or a previous dental procedure may be responsible for discoloration.