You only have seven seconds to make a good impression. You wouldn’t want them spending it looking at your black gums. Your appearance can lead to poor self-esteem. Ask yourself this question: black gums, bad impression, or a possible oral issue?
Are Black Gums Healthy?
No, healthy gums should be firm and anchor your teeth to the periodontal ligament. Gums protect the ligament, keeping your teeth in place. Healthy-colored gums are pink, red, and brown. People with the darkest skin tone still have pale pink to brown gums. There are multiple reasons why gums can be black. Black gums mean something is happening in your body, and you need to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Why are My Gums Black?
- Nicotine – Smoking can cause discoloration of the gums. It is referred to as smoker’s melanosis because the nicotine revs up your melanocytes, increasing the amount of melanin your body produces. The resulting brown or black gums can be patchy, or the entire gum may change its color. You may also see the color change in your cheeks and lower lips. Fortunately, when you quit smoking, there is a good chance the discoloration in your mouth and gums could dissipate!
- Amalgam Tattoo – Sometimes, when you get a filling and silver amalgam is used, it can become embedded in your gum line. Over time, the metal particles leach into your gum, causing gray, blue, or black patches at the gum line. While this is not a risk to your health, it is unsightly, especially when front teeth are involved.
- Melanin – Our bodies produce melanin, which gives color to our eyes, hair, and skin. The more melanin produced, the darker your eyes, skin, and hair. Melanin can also make your gums a deeper brown or black.
- If you have always had darker gums, there is nothing to worry about. If your gums become darker for no reason, it’s less likely to be caused by melanin, and you should see your dentist.
- Prescription Meds—Medication-induced black gums are purple, dark brown, or black. Certain medications can cause a change in gum color. Iron deposits from medication cause trauma to the dermis (the third layer of skin), leaving a black pigment on the skin.
- These medications include Chlorpromazine (an antipsychotic), Chloroquine and Quinine (antimalarial), Cyclophosphamide and Bleomycin (Chemotherapy meds), Ketoconazole (an antifungal), Minocycline (an antibiotic), and Zidovudine (an antiretroviral).
- Contact your doctor if you develop dark grey or black patches in your mouth, lips, or gums. Another medication may substitute for the one you are currently taking.
- Trench Mouth – Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis is an extremely serious gum infection that causes the gum tissue to die, resulting in dark gray to black tissue discoloration. This is one symptom of this insidious disease. You may also have bad breath, painful or bleeding gums, ulcers at your gum line, fatigue, fever, and vomiting.
- Addison’s Disease – An Autoimmune disease that causes damage to adrenal glands cause Addison’s disease. This results in a darkening of the mucus membranes and black gums. Unfortunately, the disease is fatal if untreated. Other symptoms of Addison’s disease include abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, Low blood sugar, decreased blood pressure, the inside of your cheeks, elbows, knees, knuckles, scars, skin folds, and darker toes.
- Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome – PJS is a genetic mutation found in children and adults. It can cause small, darkened areas on the gums as children age. Often, these dark spots disappear with age. It can also cause dark spots around the anus, eyes, feet, hands and nostrils.
The symptoms of dark gums depend on the cause. If your gums begin changing colors, are sore, develop soreness, or are bleeding, you should see a dentist immediately!
Treating Black Gums
Remember that black gums caused by increased melanin do not need treatment. Treatments depend on the condition causing them. A dentist who treats cosmetic issues may be able to bleach your gums. Bleaching can damage gums, so NEVER try this at home! Some damage can be treated with medication, and some require a procedure to fix the discoloration. It is important to treat black gums; they are bad for oral health and distract from your beautiful smile!
Infections
Infection-based black gums are treated with antibiotics first. A gingivectomy may be necessary to remove infected or dead tissue. Gum line infections may require a gingivoplasty to fix misshapen gums.
Gingival Grafts
Tissue from the roof of your mouth is used as a graft to replace blackened gums.
Chemical Removal
Chemical removal of the discoloring on the gums is done with phenol or alcohol-based solutions that chemically burn the darkened areas on the gums.
Bur Abrasion
A high-speed diamond bur is used to sand the darkened areas of the gums.
Cryosurgery
In cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen freezes the blackened gums. Once the frozen tissue sloughs off, the gums look healthy again.
Laser Ablation
Laser ablation is done with lasers aimed at blackened gum tissue. Because gums effortlessly absorb the lasers, the discoloration on the gums is removed.
Electrosurgery
Electrosurgery destroys blackened gum tissue using an electric current.
Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery uses radio frequency to eradicate the damaged gum tissue. This electrosurgery minimizes bleeding by clotting the blood and destroying the gum tissue.
Preventing Gum Discoloration
Understanding why gums are black is key to prevention. Whether caused by medicine or a condition, good oral hygiene is essential to overall health!
- After a mouth infection is treated, replace your toothbrush
- Avoid beverages and food that contain lots of sugar
- Avoid nicotine products in all forms. It increases gum disease
- Use fluoride toothpaste and water for tooth decay prevention
- Brush and floss your teeth twice daily
If you or someone you know has blackened gums or a condition that puts you at risk for gum discoloration, the Mark Shtern Clinic located in Cancun has a treatment to help you maintain good oral health. The clinic offers various dental care and solutions for a beautiful smile, including veneers in Cancun, root canal in Cancun, All on 4 implants, and sinus lift procedures. Whether you’re seeking Cancun dental care for functional or aesthetic reasons, contact us today and start your journey to good oral health!
