The human mind is predisposed to making sense. We tend to visualise the things that we hear about. We hear the word teeth and automatically picture mostly rectangular or square shaped structures that are White (as most of us desire) in colour or perhaps with a hint of Yellow. But, how would you react if someone told you that their tooth is turning Pink? Strange, isn’t it? Well, no matter how unbelievable it sounds, but Pink tooth isn’t fictious.

So, what exactly is a Pink Tooth ?

As the word itself suggests ‘Pink tooth’ is a tooth which looks pink in colour, precisely has a pinkish hue to it.

Why does a tooth look Pink ?

The portion of tooth which is visible to us (also known as the Crown) is broadly made up of three layers –

• Enamel – outermost layer
• Dentin – middle layer
• Pulp – innermost layer

The pulp chamber is filled with nerves and vessels. Scientists speculate that the loss of internal dentin results in increase in the space occupied by the pulp chamber, thereby allowing more blood vessels to use up the vacant area giving the tooth a pinkish hue.

Does that imply that individuals who have a broader pulp chamber will have a Pink coloured tooth?

Absolutely NOT !

We need to understand that free flow of blood in the pulp chamber due to pulpal damage or irritation accompanied by internal resorption in the visible portion of tooth is what results in a tooth looking pinkish in colour.

 

How is it caused ?

The major reason for Pink tooth was found to be injury to a tooth. The reasons may be as follows-

• Physical trauma to a tooth                           
• Thermal injury to a tooth
• Exposure of tooth to certain chemicals.
• Caries or bacterial invasion of pulp.

 

 

 

Symptoms of Pink Tooth

Besides having a pinkish hue usually these teeth are asymptomatic (no symptoms).

More often than not a Pink tooth is discovered by chance owing to the lack of symptoms in these cases.

In some cases, a person might experience occurrence of pain when the problem has further progressed.

 

Treatment

The treatment plan for a pink tooth depends on the extent of damage that has occurred.

Let’s just say that if a Pink tooth has been detected in its early stage, an endodontic therapy such as Root Canal Treatment can help save the tooth.

But what if one was not lucky enough to spot a pink tooth in its early stage ? Extraction (removal of the infected tooth) is the answer to such cases. Later on, the extracted or the missing tooth can be easily replaced by dental Implant or bridge.

So, this once again puts forth the importance of getting regular dental check-up not just of you but also your children who are more prone to physical injuries while playing.

Focus Dental Care can be your one stop solution if you find yourself having any dental problem (such as Pink Tooth). Our expert team of Endodontists, Pediatric dentists, Prosthodontist and oral implantologist, would give the best treatment plan for you and your family.