Uncovering the Mystery of Gray Teeth & How You Can Fix Them

When you look in the mirror and see that your teeth look a bit yellow, then it may be easy to pinpoint a reason. Maybe you indulged too much in coffee or wine, and you are planning to cut back. But what if your pearly whites have a gray look to them? The reasoning may seem harder to figure out, but can your dentist also fix them up? Keep reading to learn some causes of this discoloration and which cosmetic dental treatments can help.

Teeth are our specialty.
Your health is our passion.

At Smile312, our Chicago dental team is dedicated to providing exceptional care for every smile. From routine checkups to advanced treatments, we combine expertise, compassion, and modern technology to keep your teeth healthy and your experience stress-free. Discover dentistry that puts your comfort and wellness first.

Meet the Doctor 

What’s Causing My Gray Teeth?

Some people may have naturally gray teeth, but other times it can happen gradually. In a few instances, it may even be only one tooth! There are a few different reasons why this can happen, such as:

  • Your tooth has died due to trauma or an infection that damaged the inner pulp and nerves. Over time, it can turn into a dark grayish-blue color.
  • You have metal restorations, like a crown or silver filling, that caused some discoloration due to their materials becoming visible.
  • Exposed to a certain antibiotic (tetracycline) when you were a child or in the womb. This often is permanent and may not respond as well to whitening.
  • Have a hereditary tooth development disorder, dentinogenesis imperfecta, that causes a blue-gray color and weakens your teeth.

How Can My Dentist Fix My Gray Teeth?

While you may feel self-conscious about discolored teeth, there are a couple of treatments that can be helpful in brightening them. After you have a consultation with your dentist, there are often two choices that tend to stick out.

You might be able to get a professional take-home whitening kit! These are much more effective and safer for your smile than anything you can find in stores, as they use a higher-quality bleaching gel. After wearing the customized trays for a specified amount of time over a couple of weeks, you will have results that are six to eight shades brighter. That being said, if you have tetracycline-affected teeth, then this option may not be suitable as it can whiten unevenly.

The other treatment that may be recommended is veneers. For this cosmetic work, your dentist will remove a small amount of your enamel in order to bond thin, porcelain shells to the front of your teeth. They can cover the gray color, as well as chips, cracks, and even minor gaps.

Everyone deserves to feel confident in their smile! You can talk to your dentist about the reasons for your dental discoloration and what you can do to make them the pearly whites you dream of.

About the Practice

Dr. Harvey Mahler is here to help the Chicago community get the grins they are proud of through many cosmetic dental treatments. He gets to the root of your problem and offers an effective plan that leaves you feeling better. With state-of-the-art technology, you can even see your results before you commit, so you know you’ll enjoy them in the end. If you have gray or stained teeth you want to fix, schedule an appointment or call his office at (312) 224-9916.

Why Choose Smile312?

Digital Dental Technology
Personalized Care
On-Site One-Hour Crown
Comfortable First Visit
Flexible Payment Options

Happy Smiles, Healthy Patients!

Our patients’ satisfaction is our top priority. From routine checkups to advanced dental care, we make sure every smile leaves our office healthier and happier.

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  • Always 5 stars! He’s THE expert in TMJ and problem cases like mine😁

    Laurie C.
  • I walked in to see the dentist for a consultation. I thought I would be turned back due to not having an appointment. Amazingly, the doctor welcomed me, examined me in a professional and friendly way. Frankly, he took the time to check my teeth and explained in details his... read more

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    Saif A.
  • When I first arrived at Smile312, my mouth was in complete disarray—I honestly didn’t even know where to begin. That all changed when I met Dr. Mohler. From our very first interaction, he established a sense of trust and professionalism that immediately put me at ease. He took the time... read more

    Kimberly R.
  • Excellent service. I felt very comfortable.

    Screw I.
  • Dr Mahler is very knowledgeable and thoughtful. He will do what’s best for his patient and walk you through the process so you are fully informed. His staff is also very helpful and customer centric. Great practice!

    Amynah A.
  • I had a wonderful experience at the dentist office today. Dr. Mahler is an excellent dentist. He takes his time and explains to you was he's doing while he performs his job. His staff is very professional and kind.

    Linda B.
  • Dr. Mahler has been my dentist for over 20 years. He is very proactive at planning the next step of treatment. He managed a complex dental implant and bridge situation for me. He also has put plans in place for my daughters and we have been able to avoid orthodontics.

    Jennifer B.
  • I’ve been a happy patient of Smile 312 for 20 years. Seeing Dr. Mahler really changed the trajectory of my oral health. Charming office, personable staff, painless procedures, and efficiently ran - Very minimum wait time, if any! I’m spoiled for sure.

    Ty B.
  • Always superb.

    Pietro B.
  • Loved my visit friendly staff and Dr. Mahler is so knowledgeable he listened and asked me great questions about my health

    Neha P.
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