Why is there black stuff on my back teeth?

The most concerning reason why you might have a black spot on your tooth is tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when plaque and tartar accumulate on the teeth, allowing sugar, bacteria, and acid to cling to the teeth and eat away at the tooth's enamel and its mineral structure.


Can you get rid of black stuff on teeth?

If black tartar is the underlying cause, a dentist may try to remove the tartar using special tools. These include hand scalers that are specially designed to scrape plaque and tartar from the teeth. Sometimes, a dentist may need to use special vibrating instruments that can break apart the tartar.

How do I get rid of the black on my back teeth?

Try mouthwash or chewing gum: Black teeth caused by stains and the buildup of tartar, plaque and other temporary marks can be alleviated by using mouthwash and special whitening chewing gums. You can also try to avoid certain problem foods that stain your teeth, wherever possible.


Is it normal to have black stuff on your molars?

Cavity, or tooth decay: Perhaps the most common cause for a black spot on your molar teeth is tooth decay, or a cavity. A cavity forms when the build-up of plaque, which contains acids, is allowed to erode the surface enamel of a tooth. A hole in the tooth's protective layer sometimes shows as a black dot.

Can black tartar be removed?

Removing Black Tartar

All forms of tartar, no matter the color, should only be removed by your dentist or dental hygienist. The cleaning process your dentist will undertake is known as scaling and root planing, where black tartar is scraped off above and below the gum line.


Tooth Decay / Cavities / Dental Caries



What does tooth decay look like?

Visible holes or pits in your teeth: Cavities form tiny openings in teeth that gradually become larger. Discoloration: Teeth with cavities may appear yellow, brown, or black. Pain: Throbbing pain in your teeth is usually a sign of an infection, which means the cavity has reached your tooth's pulp (center).

Are black stains on teeth permanent?

Patients are often reassured, knowing the staining is not permanent and is in fact a common occurrence in the developing dentition. Particular advice should include instruction to avoid 'over scrubbing' the teeth when brushing, as this is unlikely to remove the stain and may cause abrasion cavities.

Can black tartar be removed by brushing?

The best way to remove the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth is by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.


Does black tartar smell?

A symptom that can help you know if you have tartar on your teeth, even if it is not in the visible part, is halitosis or bad breath . This is because dental tartar usually smells bad, so you should keep in mind that a bad smell problem in the mouth may be related to tartar.

Can black tartar make your teeth fall out?

Progression of Black Tartar

It can even cause your gum tissue to loosen and your teeth to fall out if not treated properly. Continuing to eat and drink foods that cause additional plaque and tartar buildup, and that can stain the teeth, can make black tartar worse.

Does tartar removal hurt?

The process of tartar removal may or may not be painful and is dependent on several factors. If you have sensitive teeth or diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis, removing tartar will be somewhat painful.


How long does it take to remove black tartar?

The duration of the tartar removal depends largely on the amount of tartar. It usually takes 30 to 45 minutes to remove tartar.

Are black teeth rotten?

Poor oral hygiene

As the tooth gets eaten away, tooth decay sets in. Tooth decay naturally looks black and can give the appearance of a black tooth. This gives the look of rotten teeth and is a classic result of not looking after your teeth for a considerable period of time.

Should I scrape off tartar?

Thus, the conclusion is that that you should not scrape off tartar at home. It is dangerous and can cause problems worse than tartar buildup. Going to the dentist is the best option if you want to get scraping or scaling done.


What color is tartar on teeth?

Smoking – Smoking and other tobacco use cause tartar to turn black and make gums more prone to gum diseases. High intake of sugar and starch – Sugary and starchy food and beverages cause acid buildup, which eventually results in tartar.

Can tartar go away on its own?

Once tartar has formed, only a dental professional will be able to remove it from your teeth. So, visit your dentist every 6 months to remove any plaque and tartar that might have formed and to prevent further problems.

What does black tooth decay look like?

Black teeth may start as spots on the teeth that appear brown or gray in color. These spots may then progress to black. Other times, a person will have what appears to be black, pinpoint-like areas at the top of the teeth, just below the gum line.


Why do my teeth decay so easily?

It's due to eating a lot of sugars and starches and not cleaning your teeth well. When sugars and starches aren't cleaned off your teeth, bacteria quickly begin feeding on them and form plaque. Plaque that stays on your teeth can harden under or above your gum line into tartar (calculus).

How long does it take teeth to rot?

Every Cavity Is Different. The time it takes for a cavity to form varies. It can, on average, take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment. The length of time it takes will vary on a case-by-case basis because the conditions of your mouth differ daily.

What age does tooth decay start?

Nearly 90% of adults ages 20 to 64 years have had decay in their teeth, a percentage that has not changed significantly between the 1999–2004 and 2011–2016 NHANES cycles. Older working-age adults 50 to 64 years had the greatest prevalence of decay (96%) in both NHANES cycles.


Does tooth decay go away?

Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.

Does black tooth mean infection?

The tooth may also appear black when damage occurs from the inside. The most common causes of black teeth in these cases are decay or cavities. For example, a tooth with a pulp infection or a dead tooth may turn black. The damage starts on the inside and works its way to the surface.

What does tooth decay taste like?

A Foul Taste

The decay caused by dental cavities can also create a nasty taste in your mouth. If you notice a bad taste that lingers even after you enjoy food, beverages, cigarettes or anything else, you might have a cavity.


Can tooth decay make you sick?

If a cavity is not drilled and filled in an early stage, bacteria can enter the pulp of the tooth, leading to infection and pain. This abscess, or collection of pus, can spread into the bone, making your whole body ill. Symptoms of decay include tooth sensitivity, pain when you bite or chew and dark spots on teeth.

What happens if tartar is not removed?

If plaque is not removed on a regular basis, such as through brushing and flossing, it hardens within 24 to 72 hours and becomes tartar. The tartar buildup can make it difficult to brush and floss properly, leading to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.