What happens if your gums are black

People with darker skin are much more likely to have black gums because they naturally have more melanin in their bodies. Not everyone who has dark skin has black gums — that depends more on genetics and pure chance. Rarely, black gums can be the product of certain medications or smoking. Ask your doctor to take a look at your medical history to determine a more definitive answer. Some dentists would use lasers or knives to burn and cut away the pigmentation but these procedures were painful and gave only temporary results.

In addition to these health concerns, white gums can also be the result of dental procedures. If you have a tooth extracted, the gums near the affected site may turn pale for a while as a result of the trauma. The color should return to normal after a few days. Gums may also lighten temporarily after in-office teeth whitening.

They should return to their usual color after several hours. As with other color changes to your gums , darkening or blackening may be totally harmless, or it may be a cause for concern. First, if your gums have always been dark, you probably have a higher concentration of melanin. An amalgam tattoo—or the appearance of black, blue, or grey gums surrounding an amalgam tooth filling or crown—also requires no treatment because it poses no health risks. However, there are several other reasons for gums to turn black that require medical attention.

Here are some potential underlying causes for these color changes to your gums :. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis , or trench mouth, a gum infection that causes black or grey gums. Minocycline , a medication with an uncommon side effect of causing gum discoloration. Sudden or patchy color changes to your gums are always worth addressing. An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a genetic condition that can increase the risk of developing polyps or cancer.

One of the early symptoms is the appearance of dark blue or dark brown freckles. These can appear in the mouth as well as on the skin of the fingers and toes. Peutz-Jeghers freckles typically appear in childhood and disappear with age. Another key symptom is bleeding or a blockage in the gut, which usually also occurs in childhood. A genetic test can show if a person has Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. In pregnancy, the gums may appear black because it increases the predisposition to the accumulation of bacteria and plaque, with consequent redness and inflammation of the gums.

You can prevent the phenomenon of black gums in pregnancy by planning a session of deep oral hygiene and carefully taking care of daily oral hygiene. Black gums in babies are the first sign of the teething phase. In fact, the teeth that emerge are anticipated by a progressive redness and swelling of the gums.

The phenomenon of black gums among infants is therefore very common and should not cause any concern. At the end of the teething phase, the gingival tissue will return to its normal pink color. As it is easy to deduce, black gums have multiple causes. By identifying a color change even with the naked eye, it is therefore always advisable to consult your dentist for an appropriate diagnosis. If you decide to take care of your gums and make sure that they are healthy, the best solution is to consult with a doctor.

Of course, you can try to use medicinal herbs to reduce darkening. There are recipes of infusions with herbs such as sage, mint, lemon balm, and oregano. These components have an anti-inflammatory effect, however, the result of these measures for dark gums treatment is doubtful.

Non-traditional medicine recommends the use of thyme, calamus root, chamomile, and sage. A decoction of these herbs can help anesthetize sick gums, relieve inflammation, strengthen tissues and eliminate bad breath. You have decided to try? Consult with your healthcare expert first. Have you heard about gum bleaching? This is the name of a cosmetic periodontal procedure of removing extra pigmentation and dark spots from the gums.

There are 2 whitening solutions that can be used to create your renewed smile: a microdermabrasion process and a laser technique. People can maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth regularly, flossing once a day, and cutting down on sugar. These actions should be carried out alongside regular visits to the dentist.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is the best way to keep teeth and gums healthy. A person may also wish to brush their gums regularly and gently, using a soft bristle toothbrush. Oral hygiene products are available for purchase in most pharmacies and online, including toothbrushes, dental floss, and mouthwash. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

Gum color varies from person to person. Black gums and other changes in gum color can be caused by a medical condition, medication, smoking, or other lifestyle factors. The gums are tough tissues that surround and hold the teeth in place. They can range in color from red or pink to brown or black.

Good oral health is essential for overall well-being. Changes in the color of the gums can indicate an underlying health problem, so a person should speak to a doctor to determine the cause. The body naturally produces melanin, a substance that gives the skin, hair, and eyes their color. The more melanin a person has in their body, the darker their hair, skin, or eyes will be.

Dark brown or black gums may be due to a person having more melanin in the body. If the gum color changes over a short period, however, or if patches of black appear on the gums, it is probably not caused by melanin and may indicate a medical issue. Specialized cells in the body called melanocytes make melanin. The nicotine in tobacco can cause melanocytes to produce more melanin than usual.

Gums may become more brown or black. The change in color can appear in patches or affect the entire inside of the mouth. The inside of the cheeks and lower lip may also change color. Research has found a link between quitting smoking and reduced gum discoloration. This suggests that darker patches of color on the gums caused by smoking may be reversible. Minocycline is used to treat acne and some infections, such as chlamydia.

An uncommon side effect of minocycline is pigmentation or discoloration, which can sometimes occur in the mouth.