Title: 8 factors behind dark gums (1)
1 8 Factors behind dark gums
Gum color varies for each person. In general, our
gums appear pink in color. Few people have gums
with tiny reddish dots or dark pink. In contrast,
purple, black colored gums also appear for some
people. You may also notice such persons.
Right? If you have such black gums, dont neglect
it because it may be a warning sign of any
serious dental disease underlying the
gums. Similarly, dont scare or worry regarding
the black-colored gums. Black gums are not
caused only by dental diseases. Many unknown
factors are related to black gums.
- Our Dentists in Surya Dental Care have listed
them in this post. Let us see. - Melanin
- Melanin is the natural substance present in our
body. It provides the color of our skin. If a
person has a high concentration of melanin in
his/her body, it is common that their gums also
appear dark like their skin. If the black gums
occur as a result of the genetic effect, it will
not cause pain or any issues. - Bruises
- Gum injuries occur with hard brushing or flossing
and while biting hard substances that damage the
gum tissues and others. When there is a wound in
the gums, it appears red and at times black or
brown. Such black gums caused due to injuries
will go off after healing. - Amalgam Tattoo
2- Dental bridges, crowns and filling materials are
made by blending certain metals. The mixture is
known as amalgam. While treating cavities, the
diseased tooth is filled with dental filling
materials that include amalgam. - If the amalgam particles dislodged in or around
the filled tooth, it will cause dark spots on
the gum regions around the tooth. It makes the
gum appear dark or black in color. Such amalgam
tattoos will cause any complications or lead to
serious infections. - Smoking
- You may notice the lips of smokers appear purple
in color. It is due to the nicotine present in
cigarettes. The same is also a reason behind
black gums. - Melanocytes is the melanin-producing cells
present inside our body. When a person consumes
nicotine while smoking, it induces more
melanocytes which in turn produces higher levels
of melanin. It causes dark spots, patches on the
gum. If a person smokes frequently, the dark
patches will extend all over the gum tissues and
turn it as black gum. - Quit smoking is the only solution to overcome
black gum disease and restore healthy gums - Medication
- Medications or drugs which we take to get rid of
infections like chlamydia are effective to stain
our gums. Likewise, medications like minocycline
and others that contain antimalarial agents are
also powerful to cause gum discoloration. - If you encounter such black or dark colored gums
due to medication, consult your Doctor to
replace it. - Eruption Hematoma
- While the teeth are erupting, a cyst is formed in
the underlying region. Sometimes, few drops of
blood mixed with the cyst. This condition is
known as Eruption Hematoma. The eruption cyst
with blood appears dark. It makes the gum looks
black in color. - It is normal and you dont need to worry about
this. It will go off over a period of time. - Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
- It is a kind of gum disease that occurs due to
poor oral hygiene that leads to breed up of
bacteria in the mouth. The infection produces a
black colored biofilm on the gums by deposition
of the dead cells over the gum layer. This ends
in dark gums. - Its symptoms include bad breath, gum bleeding and
other symptoms that indicate gingivitis.
Professional dental cleaning done at the dental
office is required to cure this. - Health issues
3As mentioned earlier, black gums occur as a side
effect of various diseases or health infections.
Most common complications that are associated
with dark gums are as follows Oral
Melanoacanthoma The cause of this condition is
still unknown. Researchers believe that the
friction in the mouth caused due to jaw movements
is the reason. It makes different parts of the
mouth including gums appear dark. Addisons
disease It is a serious condition that affects
our adrenal glands. This in turn, affects the
normal functioning of our body. Hyperpigmentation
arises as an effect of this disease and produces
dark patches in various parts including gums. It
can be identified with symptoms like
pale-colored spots on the skin, dehydration,
etc. Thrombocytopenia This is a condition that
arduous the blood clotting process. It takes
advantage of an injury in the gum tissues and
inherits the gum wounds. Blue Nevus Similar to
Oral Melanoacanthoma, the base cause of this
disease is also not identified. It produces a
small mole in the gums that looks like swelling
and makes the gums look discolored. A Dentist
can easily diagnose this condition by seeing the
size and color of the mole. Melanotic Macule
This causes dark colored patches in various parts
of our body including gums. It may cause due to
genetic disorders for some people. Some people
are affected by this disease when they become
older. Conclusion Black gums are not complicated
to treat or harmful as you think. Even though it
is harmless, it leaves one with unattractive
appearance or smile. Modern technologies in
Dentistry have empowered to shade or lighten the
dark-colored gums with gum whitening treatments.