Why You Might Have Dark Gums – And What You Can Do About It
If you’ve ever look in the mirror and notice that your gums have turne dark, you might have been alarm at first. But in most cases, this darkening is actually harmless and very common—in fact, it can happen to anybody, even those who don’t smoke or otherwise have any particular risk factors associate with it. In this article, we’ll cover what causes dark gums in the first place, along with tips on how to keep them from getting worse over time.
Gum Color
Many people have dark spots on their gums and teeth. These spots are known as black gums. Black gums can be hereditary or can be cause by smoking. Additionally, some conditions may cause the formation of dark patches on your gums, such as gum disease or melanoma. Traditional ways of whitening, such as brushing your teeth more often or using hydrogen peroxide-base mouthwash may help; laser depigmentation treatments to remove the pigments in these areas may also work for some people.
Understanding Black Gums
Many people have dark gums, which are simply normal. However, those who have this condition may want to know what could be done about it. Ablating the melanin-producing cells in the mouth will result in a temporary or permanent removal of the pigment from the mouth. This treatment can also produce a faster response in some individuals than traditional way of whitening. The laser depigmentation treatment is non-surgical and can be quite effective at helping people with darker skin to lighten their gums through certain treatments, though not all cases will experience significant results. Laser depigmentation is more time consuming and expensive than ablating melanin-producing cells so it’s worth discussing your options with your doctor before making a decision.
How do I know if I have black gums?
1. Look in the mirror and see if you have any brown or black spots on your teeth. If so, you may be experiencing black gums or excessive melanin production in your mouth. 2. Cleaning your teeth and flossing regularly is a traditional way of whitening, which may work as an ablative for melanin-producing cells that are on the surface of your teeth. Keep up this process three times a day! 3. See a dentist to ensure no cavities or other problems need to be treate before they get worse. 4.
Other Causes
– Internal bleeding
– Cholesteatoma, which is a noncancerous tumor locate on the middle ear’s (the mastoid bone) surface
– Lichen planus, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s white blood cells attack healthy skin tissue in and around the mouth
Self-Care Tips for People with Black Gums
1. Brush and floss regularly, paying special attention to the gums. 2. Be sure you have a family doctor you can trust, just in case black gums are an indication of a larger problem with your health that needs to be address. 3. If you’re a smoker or drinker and want to avoid black gums, try eliminating these substances from your life! 4. If dark spots are hard to reach by brushing or using mouthwash, make use of dental floss for extra gentle care for teeth and gum tissues or switch toothbrushes out for one that is more ergonomic. 5.
How can I get rid of dark gums?
It’s worth talking to your dentist if you think you have black gums. Your dentist will examine your teeth and discuss treatment options with you, which might include tooth whitening, veneers, or other restorative procedures.
However, there are things you can do in the meantime to help reduce dark spots on your gums: avoid smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco; drink lots of water; floss twice a day; brush for two minutes twice a day; avoid toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate and avoid oral care products with oil.
Why is my gum so dark?
The melanin in your gums will appear dark brown. This usually indicates a natural amount of melanin, and can be due to tobacco usage or from certain illnesses, like hepatic cirrhosis. Though in the long-term it may indicate something more serious, you don’t need to worry about this for now. You can take steps to lighten your gums by following a healthy dental regimen: brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and regular trips to the dentist for cleanings. If you find that your dark gums still bother you, speak with a healthcare professional; they might recommend removing any excess plaque which could be preventing normal discoloration of your teeth.
Is it possible to lighten dark gums?
Fortunately, it is possible to lighten your gums. Here are a few natural options for getting those pearly whites back:
● Floss regularly and brush twice daily with an abrasive toothpaste. This will help pull the excess melanin off your teeth. You can also try whitening toothpaste or blueberry extract for add whitening power.
● Take care of your gums by massaging them daily with a pea-size amount of olive oil and avoid sugar and salt as much as possible (both lead to increase plaque build-up).
● Gargle with hydrogen peroxide dilute in water. This should reduce the intensity of dark spots in your mouth, but may lead to gum tissue irritation in some cases if you overdo it.
