What does a dark, reddish tooth typically indicate?

A dark, reddish tooth typically indicates hyperemia, which refers to an excess of blood in the vascular components of a tooth, usually due to inflammation or a response to injury. This condition can result in a change in color of the tooth, often manifesting as a dark or reddish appearance. Hyperemia may occur as a result of the pulp becoming inflamed, indicating a potential issue within the tooth, such as pulpitis.

This coloration change signals that the tooth is reacting to some form of stress or trauma, and while other conditions like necrosis, tooth decay, and infection can cause discoloration, they usually present with different characteristics. For example, necrosis often leads to a gray or black appearance as the tissue dies, while tooth decay typically results in a lighter brownish color due to the formation of cavities, and an infection might be associated with more severe symptoms like pain or swelling, rather than a simple darkening color. Thus, the dark, reddish hue is most specifically linked to hyperemia.