It may not be very well known, but hundreds of thousands of people have black gums also known as gum hyperpigmentation. As the name suggests, the most common symptom is dark black spots or blotches on the gums. On rare occasions, It may be a sign of gingivitis but it can also be related to other health issues such as diabetes and poor blood circulation to the gums.
What Are Black Gums?
People with dark gums may not be experiencing an infection, but rather a symptom of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation occurs when melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, is overproduced in certain areas such as the mouth. There are many reasons why this could happen, but typically it stems from irritation due to poor oral care practices including brushing too hard and using toothpaste that contains abrasives. Black gums should be looked at by a dentist as they are a sign that you need to start taking better care of your teeth. If left untreated, your gums could eventually become infected leading to other symptoms such as tooth loss and chronic pain.
Teeth Whitening vs Gum Hyperpigmentation:
The two can be confused with each other because they both have dark spots on the gums, but there are some differences between the two. Dark gums are caused by an overproduction of melanin (pigment) in the gum tissue. Teeth whitening is caused by a lack of melanin in your teeth. The best way to determine which one you have is to go to your dentist and have them check it out for you.
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What Causes Gum Hyperpigmentation?
Different things can cause dark gums. The most common reason for these dark blotches to appear on your teeth is gum hyperpigmentation, which is caused by an accumulation of plaque and tartar. This accumulation causes the natural color of the tooth’s enamel to change over time until you are left with a black spot on your gum line.
Gum hyperpigmentation can be avoided by practicing good oral hygiene habits, including brushing twice a day, flossing daily and maintaining cleanings at least every six months.
How To Prevent Blackened Gums?
The key to treating blackened gums is to identify the underlying cause. If it is a sign of gum disease, then the treatment will be different than if it is caused by some other issue. For example, if your dark gums are simply due to some sort of discoloration from eating certain food items like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, etc., you can use hydrogen peroxide on them to help lighten their color. One common treatment for chronic gum disease is scaling and root planing which removes plaque buildup and smoothes out the roots and root surfaces so that they don’t hold onto plaque any longer.
How To Treat Blackened Gums?
The most common cause of blackened gums is gum disease or a condition known as gingivitis. To determine if this is the case, a dentist will perform a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it’s discovered that you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend professional treatment for your condition, but in some cases may prescribe over-the-counter products like mouthwash or toothpaste with added ingredients such as triclosan. However, there are other causes for blackened gums aside from just gum disease.