What's Causing This Dark Spot on My Tooth? Should I Worry?

Understanding Black Spots on Teeth

Noticing a new black spot on your tooth can be alarming. Your mind may immediately jump to the worst case scenarios - is it a cavity or even mouth cancer? While black spots can indicate oral health issues, they can also be harmless pigmentation.

What Causes Black Spots on Teeth?

There are several potential causes for black spots appearing on teeth:

• Decay - Cavities begin as tiny holes that can look black. As they grow larger, they form into darker spots. Catching and treating cavities early is important to protect your teeth.
• Trauma - If you've had an injury that damaged the inner layer of your tooth, it can die and turn black. Cracks and chips may also fill with debris, turning black.
• Amalgam tattoo - Tiny metal fragments from silver amalgam fillings can embed into teeth, leaving a blue-black stain.
• Excess fluorosis - Too much fluoride while teeth are developing can lead to white spots, streaks, or flecks.
• Pigmentation - Genetics, antibiotics, and certain chemicals can cause black, brown or grey tooth discoloration.

Is it Mouth Cancer?

Noticing suspicious spots in your mouth may raise alarm for oral cancer. However, some harmless pigmentation can also occur:

• Amalgam tattoo - Previously filled teeth may leak small metal particles that embed and leave a stain.
• Melanin - Genetics cause excess production of the pigment melanin, resulting in grey, brown, or black spots.
• Tobacco use - Smoking causes black hairy tongue and also increases oral cancer risk later on.

The most common sites for mouth cancer include the sides or undersides of the tongue, lips, and insides of the cheeks and throat - not usually single spots on teeth. Still, any strange lesions, sores, or growths that don't resolve within 2 weeks require an oral exam.

Diagnosing Black Spots on Teeth

While visually examining black stains on your teeth, your dentist will evaluate:

• Location - Cavities typically form in grooves and pits of molars. Cancers often start on soft tissue.
• Border - Decay has irregular shapes with fuzzy borders. Benign spots have defined edges.
• Consistency - Probe the area to feel if a soft pocket of decay is present or if the spot is firm pigmentation.
• Color - Grey, brown, and black stains have different implications than the black holes of advancing cavities.

The most definitive way to determine what's causing black marks is through x-rays and occasionally biopsy. Even if a dark spot is non-threatening pigmentation, deciding on best treatment still requires pinpointing the exact cause.

When to Seek Emergency Dental Care

In most cases, black spots can be appropriately evaluated at a routine dental cleaning. However, seeking urgent care is necessary if they are accompanied by:

• Sharp, throbbing toothache
• Swollen gums, jaw, or neck
• Numbness in mouth or face
• Bleeding in mouth
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• White, red, or ulcerated patches
• Persistent bad breath or foul taste

Experiencing any of these serious symptoms associated with mouth spots indicates a significant problem like infection or advancing cancer. Prompt professional assessment and treatment is critical.

How to Get Rid Black Spots on Teeth

The appropriate treatments for eliminating black stains and spots depends on the cause:

Decay

Stains caused by tooth decay require composite resin fillings, dental crowns, or tooth extractions for total loss. Catch cavities early before they grow into bigger infected abscesses requiring root canal therapy or removal.

Dental Trauma

Chipped or cracked teeth with resulting black debris often need extracted if infection occurs in the tooth pulp. Cosmetic bonding, crowns or bridges help restore form and function when repairs are possible.

Metal Stains

Superficial amalgam tattoo spots can be polished away or lightened through teeth whitening. Larger blemishes require surgical ablation or crown placement to cover.

Fluorosis Spots

Mild dental fluorosis is a cosmetic concern improved through professional strength whitening treatments, sometimes requiring several rounds. The stains are incorporated internally into the enamel and can be difficult, but not impossible, to fully remove.

Genetic Pigmentation

Grey, brown and black melanin, medication, and chemical stains can often be managed with external bleaching or internal tooth whitening laminates. Severe innate discoloration may necessitate porcelain crowns for a beautiful smile.

Preventing Black Spots

Keeping your mouth healthy helps avoid cavities and tooth trauma prone to leaving black sink holes and spots:

• Brush properly twice a day
• Clean between teeth daily
• Eat less sugary and acidic foods
• Drink fluoridated water
• Use lip balm and gum shields for sports

Additionally, wearing a custom nightguard helps protect against cracks and fractures leading to blackened staining. And regular dental visits catch problems early, while they're still reversible. Be sure to maintain any restorations like fillings and crowns that can deteriorate over time, become defective, and turn black with decay again.

When to Consult Your Dentist

Make an appointment with your general dentist for evaluation if you notice any new pigmentation or spotting. And monitor any strange, non-healing lesions while awaiting your visit. Early assessment and intervention can help diagnose harmless causes versus conserving teeth and lives when needed.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.