Changes in the gums can lead to periodontal disease or pathologies. It is therefore necessary to keep an eye on the state of the gums and to remain attentive to changes. Discoloration of the gums can lead to serious problems if not taken into account. Find out more about darkened gums here.
Here is a guide to learn more about dark gums.
What are the different colors of the gums?
The colors of your gums vary depending on the health of your mouth and body.
Pink gums
If your gums have a pink color, you have nothing to worry about. This color shows that your gums are well maintained and healthy.
Brown gums
If you have dark skin, brown may be the natural color of your gums. Your gums can also turn brown if you are exposed to the sun for a long time. This is because melanin tends to darken the gums. You can check the texture of the tooth and its collars to see if they change color. Gums should be smooth and firm, regardless of their natural color.
Red gums
When your gums are red, it is a sign of infection or inflammation. The gums may even bleed when you brush. If your gums are bright red, with small white or yellow ulcers, you may have herpes. Anti-herpes treatment is what you need when you are diagnosed.
Yellow gums
A small yellow tint on the gums indicates gingivitis. This is often followed by swelling of the gums. Gingivitis can be treated very quickly by dentists and with better oral hygiene. In case you notice the presence of a yellow sore, it may be a viral infection or an ulcer.
Black or brown gums
This color can become a concern if the change is abnormal for you. Most of the time, black gums are related to smoking or taking certain types of medication. It could be an endocrine pigmentation or ethical angioma when the color is in one part of the gum.
White gums
There are two options if you have white gums. A white film is often the result of a fungal infection. Medical attention is needed to allow the body to fight it. White, painful gums with white sores are very embarrassing and sensitive. It is possible that this is also the result of a viral infection. Consultation with a dentist is necessary to prevent the disease from developing.
What causes dark gums?
Dark gums can be caused by hereditary factors, poor oral hygiene or diseases. Several causes are possible.
A medication
There are some medications that can have the side effect of darkening the gums. If you notice that your gums become darker while taking a medication, you should stop taking it. Then, you should talk to your doctor so that he or she can prescribe another treatment.
Peutz-jeghers syndrome
This is a hereditary disease characterized by lentigos and intestinal polyps. These usually develop in the mouth during childhood. This is how the gums become dark.
Smoker's melanosis
Smoking can increase the production of melanin. This can lead to black, brown or bluish gums. When you stop smoking, your gums may return to their normal color after months or years.
Necrosis
Necrosis is a periodontal disease that can cause cell death if left untreated. The gums become black over time. You must consult a dentist as soon as possible to prevent your teeth from becoming loose.
How to prevent dark gums?
Having the best lifestyle habits is necessary to maintain the normal color of your gums.
Brush your teeth regularly and well
Brushing your teeth after every meal is the best routine to adopt. People with very sensitive gums need additional treatment. They can approach the dentist for instructions. For example, you can reinforce tooth brushing with an alcohol-free mouthwash.
You should get into the habit of flossing your teeth. Flossing removes food fragments from hard-to-reach areas. The tongue is also an area of the mouth that should be cleaned and brushed. It is a fertile place for bacteria and acids to grow and can reach and darken the gums.
Improve your lifestyle
You must stop smoking and drinking alcohol while maintaining rigid dental hygiene. It is recommended to eat a healthy diet rich in iron, calcium and vitamin C and D for the gums. To ensure the proper circulation of air in the body and strengthen the immune system, you must avoid stress. Good hygiene is essential for the body's oral defense.
Make an appointment with a dentist
During your consultation, your dentist will first perform a scaling. He will then detect the supposed cause of the black spots on the gums. You will then have to undergo additional tests such as an X-ray. The dentist will then determine what care is needed, such as dentures, teeth whitening or a biopsy in the case of melanoma.
You can brush your teeth with the Y-Brush. It is a sonic toothbrush that removes more plaque than a traditional toothbrush, which prevents tartar from forming on your teeth. It allows you to have much cleaner teeth than usual and therefore they gain a little in whiteness.
The different orthodontic treatments to solve this black gum problem
There are orthodontic treatments to solve the aesthetic problem of black gums:
- Interproximal reduction or stripping: this is a method that consists of polishing the teeth affected by this black triangle in order to open a small space. Once the space appears, your dentist will use an eraser to enlarge and fill the interstitial space. This so-called natural filling is painless and gives a particularly fast result.
- Reshaping the tooth: In some cases, the shape of the tooth causes an embrasure and stripping is not possible at first. Your dental surgeon will therefore have to remove some of the enamel on each side of the affected teeth to recreate an embrasure. Once the remodeling is complete, your dentist can perform an interproximal reduction as explained above.
We hope this guide has helped you understand the different colors of gums and why having black gums is a problem. It is also important to have a good understanding of the causes in order to know which solutions and treatments are to be preferred first.
