Black Lines On Teeth: Causes & Treatments

If you observe that the base of your teeth is black or if they have black lines on them, it could be due to an underlying dental issue. More importantly, black lines around teeth can severely affect one’s smile and self-confidence. If you are also concerned about the black lines around your teeth, you have come to the right place. 

This blog discusses everything you need to know about black teeth lines and their management. So, read on to learn more about how to prevent black lines on teeth and their management. 

What Is Tooth Discolouration?

Discolouration of the teeth can occur due to various reasons. The two most common causes of tooth discolouration are eating strong-coloured foods and tartar formation. Besides, tooth staining can also occur because of intake of excessive fluoride or tetracycline during tooth development. Similarly, the treatment of tooth discolouration also depends on the underlying cause.  

What Causes Dark Black Stains On Teeth?

Black stains, spots, or lines on the teeth can form due to various reasons. Some of them are:

  • Plaque and Tartar Build up – one of the most common causes of black lines around teeth is the staining of long-standing tartar deposits
  • Dental Cavities – Sometimes, untreated dental cavities can get stained and appear as black spots
  • Beverages and Drinks – strong-coloured foods and drinks can also result in the black staining of the teeth. 
  • Dental Fluorosis – according to the American Dental Association, fluorosis is a condition characterised by the appearance of faint white lines on the teeth. These lines occur due to excessive fluoride intake during tooth development. Over time, these white lines get stained and may appear brownish or black. 

Do Black Lines On Teeth Mean Cavities?

There could be many reasons for the appearance of black lines on teeth. One of them is tooth cavities. If you observe black lines around your teeth, you should visit your dentist for a checkup. They will perform a detailed clinical examination and look at the x-ray images of your teeth. If the lines are caused by tooth decay, they will remove the damaged tooth portion and replace it with a white filling

What Causes A Black Spot On A Human Gum Near A Tooth?

Like teeth, there could be several causes for the appearance of black spots on the gums. For example, it could be due to a foreign object stuck between the gums, or because of high levels of melanin which makes the gums appear darker. According to Healthline, black lines on the gums can also occur due to bruises or moles. 

How To Remove Black Lines Around The Crown Of A Tooth?

The treatment of black lines around teeth depends on the underlying cause. If the lines are due to tartar deposition, your dentist will perform professional teeth cleaning to remove them. Similarly, if the formation of black lines is due to tooth decay, your dentist will treat it by removing the damaged tooth portion and replacing it with a suitable filling material. 

How To Prevent A Tooth From Turning Black?

The best way to prevent lines from forming on your teeth is to maintain optimal oral hygiene. By brushing and flossing regularly, you are preventing plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth, which is one of the most significant causes of teeth lines and gum disease. Moreover, you should visit your dentist regularly, so that any underlying oral health problems that may cause black lines on teeth can be addressed timely. 

What Is The Black Stuff Between Teeth?

If you observe something black between your teeth while brushing and flossing, it could be due to tartar buildup. The tartar between our teeth gets stained over time and becomes dark brown or black. This is why the space between two teeth appears black. It could also be due to a black-coloured foreign object over a food particle lodged between two teeth. Regardless, if you observe that the space between your teeth appears black, you should consult your dentist without delay. 

How To Get Rid Of Black Lines In Your Teeth?

As mentioned earlier, the management of lines around teeth depends on the underlying cause. If the lines are due to dental tartar, your dentist will treat them by performing professional teeth cleaning. Similarly, if the lines are caused by teeth staining, they will be removed through professional teeth whitening. Finally, permanent black lines will be treated through cosmetic dental procedures such as composite bonding or porcelain veneers

I’ve Got Black Lines On My Molar, Not Sure What It Is?

If you have black lines on the chewing surface of your molar teeth, it could be due to food impaction in the pits and fissures of the tooth which turn black over time. However, there is no need to worry. In most cases, these lines won’t cause any harm to your teeth. The main cause of these lines is poor oral hygiene. By simply improving your oral hygiene routine through regular brushing and flossing, you can prevent these black lines. 

If you’re looking for a good dental practice that will take care of your entire family’s dental health, then Harrow Dental Practice and Dental Implant Centre should be your first choice. We have a team of highly qualified and trained dentists who will take care of all your dental problems and ensure that you enjoy a healthy and lasting smile. So, click here to make an enquiry and let us take it from there. 

How To Fix A Chipped Front Tooth?

A chipped front tooth is not just an aesthetic problem, it can also cause difficulty in eating and speech. People with chipped or stained front teeth often avoid speaking or smiling in public as they feel shy and under-confident. If your chipped front teeth prevent you from smiling publically, here’s your chance to enjoy your dream smile. This article discusses all the treatment options for fixing chipped teeth. So, don’t forget to read till the end. 

I Chipped My Front Tooth, Do I Need To Fix It?

The most important issue with a front chipped tooth is the compromised facial aesthetics. Not only this but one’s speech and chewing efficiency may also be compromised. So, it is best to get one’s chipped tooth fixed without delay. Your dentist will assess the extent of the damage and prepare a treatment plan based on it. 

Is A Cracked Tooth A Dental Emergency?

A cracked or chipped may turn into a dental emergency when the crack extends into the pulp tissue of the tooth. The pulp is rich in nerves and blood vessels and if it gets exposed due to crack, it can result in severe pain creating a medical emergency. Moreover, the exposed pulp tissue may get inflamed over time resulting in severe infection requiring root canal treatment. 

What Are My Options For Repairing A Badly Chipped Front Tooth?

There are several options available to repair a badly chipped front tooth. The simplest option is to repair the damaged tooth portion with composite bonding. Alternatively, a porcelain or composite veneer can be placed over the tooth to mask the aesthetic defect. Finally, if the damage is extensive, your dentist may consider placing a crown over the tooth. The crown will not only restore the aesthetics but also reinforce the tooth. 

Is It Possible To Regrow A Broken Permanent Front Tooth?

It is not possible to grow back a permanent front tooth once it gets damaged. So, the only option to restore the aesthetics and structure of a broken tooth is to place a filling over it or restore it using a veneer or crown. 

Can Fractured Teeth Be Saved?

It is possible to save fractured teeth. However, it depends on the extent of the fracture. Even if the crack results in the exposure of the underlying pulp, the tooth can still be saved with a root canal procedure. However, according to the American Association of Endodontists, a tooth cannot be saved if the crack extends below the gumline. Your dentist will perform a detailed clinical examination and look at the X-ray images of the affected tooth to assess the extent of the damage. 

Is It Possible To Fix A Chipped Tooth Without Getting A Crown?

It is not necessary to restore all cracked teeth using dental crowns. Instead, your dentist will consider a crown when the damage is extensive and the restored tooth needs reinforcement. Dental crowns are typically required in the back teeth that have undergone a root canal procedure following a fracture. Teeth tend to become brittle after root canal treatment and are more prone to fracture. Your dentist will place a crown over such teeth to prevent 

Does A Root Canal Fix A Fractured Tooth?

A root canal procedure is not a treatment for a fracture. Instead, a root canal is performed when a tooth fracture exposes the underlying pulp tissue. According to the Oral Health Foundation, a root canal procedure involves removing the inflamed pulp tissue from inside the tooth and replacing it with an inert material. So, a root canal does not fix a fractured tooth. Instead, it is performed to treat pulp inflammation caused by the fracture. 

Can I Get A Chipped Tooth Fixed While Having Braces?

It is possible to repair a chipped tooth even if it has an orthodontic bracket on it. If the fracture is below the surface where the bracket is bonded, the process is straightforward. Your dentist will simply repair the damaged tooth structure with composite bonding.

On the other hand, if the damage extends into the region where the bracket is bonded to the tooth, your dentist may have to remove the bracket first. Afterwards, they will restore the damaged tooth portion, followed by bonding the bracket to the tooth. 

Is Getting Your Teeth Fixed Worth It?

Regardless of the type of damage, getting one’s teeth fixed is always beneficial. First, tooth restoration results in optimal facial aesthetics and improvement in one’s self-confidence. Secondly, restored teeth have superior chewing efficiency than chipped or fractured ones. Finally, damaged teeth may make optimal cleaning difficult, leading to complications such as tooth decay and gum disease. Restoring damaged teeth also helps prevent these complications. 

How Do Dentists Fill A Tooth Chip?

Dentists have various treatment options available to fix chipped teeth. The simplest and most commonly used treatment option is composite bonding. If superior aesthetics are required, your dentist may consider restoring the damaged tooth using porcelain or composite veneers. Similarly, if there is extensive damage due to chipping, your dentist will reinforce the tooth with a crown after restoring it with composite bonding. 

Are you looking for the best dentist in Essex for restoring chipped or grossly damaged teeth? Look no further. Harrow Dental Practice and Dental Implant Centre is the best place to go for all your general dentistry and cosmetic dental needs. No matter how complex your cosmetic dental issue is, our dental team will have a solution for it. So, click here to make an inquiry and let us take it from there.