FAQs/ToothColor.htm

Question 21: I just noticed that one of my pet's teeth is discolored compared to the other teeth. Can you please tell me what this means.

Answer: Teeth can be discolored for a number of different reasons, including staining, disease, trauma, drugs, or chewing on metal. Of course, to accurately determine the exact cause for discoloration of a particular tooth, a full examination by a qualified veterinarian is required. That being said, the following descriptions may be helpful.

Dental staining is usually DARK ORANGE or BROWN in color and does not appear to rise above the surface of the enamel. Dental staining can sometimes be removed with proper dental scaling, but too much scaling to remove stain may damage the underlying tooth. Daily brushing of the teeth with a pet appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste is the best way to prevent dental staining.

Dental tartar or calculus is usually a YELLOW material consisting of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate, food particles, bacteria, and other organic matter that is deposited on the teeth by saliva. Initially the tartar may appear as a thin film on the teeth. If allowed to progress the tartar eventually will appear as a thick, hard covering over the dental enamel. Pet's with significant tartar accumulation will likely have bad breath (halitosis) and are more likely to develop oral pain, gingivitis (inflammation of the gum tissue), tooth root infections, and loose teeth. Daily brushing is the best way to avoid tartar accumulation. Once tartar has accumulated on the teeth it is best removed by professional veterinary dental scaling and polishing. DO NOT hand scale your pet's teeth at home with metal scaling tools as this will scratch the underlying enamel. Scratched enamel is a rough surface that allows tartar and bacteria to more easily attach to the tooth.

In the case of trauma, a healthy tooth may suffer blunt impact causing internal hemorrhage or bleeding. As a result the tooth turns PINK in color. A PURPLE tooth is dying due to increased pressure within the pulp cavity. A GRAY or BROWN tooth is likely a dead tooth. Early intervention is the best option to save a traumatized tooth. Left untreated the damaged tooth may become infected or loose resulting in oral pain, swelling or redness of the associated gum tissue, and/or a reluctance to eat or drink. Depending on the condition of the individual tooth treatment options include no treatment (monitor), antibiotics and steroids, root canal, or extraction.

Tetracycline and related antibiotics have long been documented to cause teeth to turn YELLOW, LIGHT BROWN or GRAY when given to young animals. This class of antibiotics should be avoided in young animals until all of the adult teeth have completely erupted.

A tooth with SILVER discoloration usually indicates that the animal has been chewing on some metallic surface, usually the galvanized metal of kennels or crates. It would be wise to determine the exact cause of the animal's chewing in an effort to avoid broken teeth and/or unnecessary stress on the part of pet.