The gums are the upper and lower portion of tissues that surrounds the teeth. They help to hold the teeth in their place. Gums’ color varies from person to person, they range from red or pink to brown or black in color.
Gums shade reflects the health issues of a person. A person with pink gums reflects good health but a person who has black gums, you are not alone. There are thousands of people who have black gums or black spots on their gums. People with black gums should visit a specialist to consider the underlying health problem. Oral hygiene is good for overall health and well-being.
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7 Common Black Gum Causes
Gums turn back due to several reasons which are the following:
Presence of Skin Pigment, “Melanin”
Melanin is a skin pigment that is naturally produced in your body to manage your skin, hair, and eye color. If a person has a dark hair color, skin and eyes it is because the person has more melanin than usual.
Dark brown or black gums may indicate that the person has a larger amount of melanin in his body. There is one thing you should observe if a person has always been back gummed then there is nothing to worry about. This is the natural color of his gums.
But if a gum color recently changes in a short period of time or if black spots just appeared on gums that is not because of melanin. The major concern is a medical issue that should be addressed on time.
Habit of Smoking
Sometimes black or brown color of the gums depends on the severe smoking routine. This is also known as smoker’s melanosis. Our body has some special cells known as melanocytes that produce melanin. Tobacco is a source of nicotine and it can cause melanocytes to make more melanin than regular in the body.
In people who develop smoking habits, their gums start chaining into more brown or black in color. This black color can appear in the form of small spots or it can all cover the inside of the mouth. That’s why smokers usually have dark inner cheeks and lips.
The study indicates that there is a strong connection between leaving the smoking habit and changing gums color. This study suggests that smoking causes discolouration of gums and quitting smoking can reverse the color of your gums.
Use of Medicines
The doctor prescribed Minocycline to treat acne and sometimes infections, like Chlamydia. Minocycline causes a common side effect that involves pigmentation or discoloration and it usually occurs in the mouth.
If you feel any changes in your gum color, ask your doctor to prescribe you an alternative medicine.
Discolouration in Mouth
If you observe black, blue, or grey patches in your mouth, this is known as an amalgam tattoo. It can appear anywhere in the mouth but it is mostly found in the lower jaw or next to the filling.
Amalgam is a release of metal used in a mouth for filling or crown. If molecules of this material start moving into your mouth it leaves a black, blue, or grey color in your mouth.
There is nothing to worry about if amalgam leaves the color in your mouth and it requires no treatment. Amalgam never causes any kind of health issues.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a very common and acute form of gum disease that is usually known as trench mouth. Gingivitis causes fever, pain in the gums, and bad breath. If a layer of dead tissues develops on gums it can cause black or grey gums.
It is caused by the bacterial growth in the mouth that leads to gingivitis. There are many other reasons for gingivitis such as stress, disturbed sleep, poor oral hygiene, and a weak healthy diet.
According to the top reviewed dentist in Karachi, Dr. Amena Tahir “Symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding gums, bad smell of the breath, the feeling of illness, and saliva in your mouth. Sometimes gingivitis causes ulcers in your gums and at the edge of your teeth.”
Treatment includes cleanliness of the mouth and a good mouthwash or a doctor can prescribe an antibiotic to kill bacteria in your mouth.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is also known as adrenal insufficiency because it affects the adrenal hormone that is responsible for metabolism and the immune system.
Addison’s symptoms are following as
- Tiredness
- Feeling dry mouth and thirsty than normal routine
- Frequently weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness
A person with Addison’s disease starts having back or dark gums and lips. This process is known as hyperpigmentation.
Besides only affecting gums and lips, Addison’s disease can also cause dark spots on other parts of the body. It causes dark spots on the knuckles, knees, and around the scars.
Most of the time our weak immune system allows microbes into an adrenal gland that causes Addison’s disease. Else if a hormonal level decreases it can cause damage to the metabolism and lead to an adrenal crisis.
An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency that consists of a feeling of dehydration, shallow and rapid breathing, dizziness, and pale skin.
Peutz- Jeghers Syndrome
This is a genetic condition that can be responsible for the growth of cancer cells. Peutz- Jeghers syndrome symptoms include black or blue patches in the mouth, finer or around the toes.
It usually occurs during your childhood and gradually disappears in the adult phase. Blockage in the gut is also a symptom of this syndrome that is usually identified in childhood. You can run a genetic test to find out about this condition.
Quick and Easy Treatment at home
As I told you before, dark gums appear due to another medical condition. These home-based remedies’ results vary from person to person. These solutions are not for everyone because of body differences among individuals.
With these tips, some people find an instant solution and dramatic change in their gums but this is not the same for everyone. But if still, you want to give it a shot there are a few tips
- You can apply eucalyptus oil all around your gums. It has the properties to kill germs and bacteria as well as reduce inflammation. This oil also helps to lighten the gums for a few people. Eucalyptus oil is good for oral care and health.
- Clove is also helpful in oral hygiene as it is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent. It also helps to repair damaged tissues in gums. You will find a result within a few weeks.
- Sesame oil effectively stops plaque and tartar and is famous for drawing out toxins. This oil helps to remove these harmful materials and keep your oral hygiene good. Heat the oil before using it and apply it to your brush and then brush your teeth with it.
Things you should consider
You can take care of your oral hygiene which will definitely help you to prevent germs and bacterias growth but black gums appear due to other medical conditions. So visit your doctor’s Best dentist in Karachi to find the best treatment.
