Causes of Black Gums, Solutions & Prevention
Gums are the tissues that surround teeth and hold them in place. Gums, like any other tissue, can come in a wide variety of colors, but the most common color associated with gums is pink. In some cases, however, gums can be a different color or change colors over time. In these cases, it is important to understand why, especially if the gums are black or darker in color. Read on to learn more about the causes of black gums, solutions and prevention.
What causes black gums?
Black gums can be caused by numerous things. In some cases, a person is born with their gums this color and in others gum tissues can change to this color. If you have black gums, and if your gums have recently turned black, it is important to understand why. Here are some common reasons why gum tissue might be black.
- One of the most common reasons for black or dark gums is melanin. Just like in the skin and hair, the amount of melanin in a person’s tissues determines the color. In these cases, the person is likely born with the genetics that predispose them to having dark colored gums. This is often not a cause for medical concern, even though it can cause self-conscious feelings about the person’s smile.
- Smoking and tobacco use is another common cause of black or dark gums. People who smoke cause tremendous damage to their gum tissues including the buildup of tar and the increase of melanin production.
- There are certain medications which can have the side effect of causing gums to turn black or dark colored. Anti-malarial medications and minocycline, a medicine used to treat acne and some infections, can cause this. If you are taking this medicine and notice a change in the color of your gums, you should speak with your doctor and dentist right away.
- Certain gum infections such as acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis can cause the gums to darken and turn black. This change in color will also likely be accompanied by fever, painful gums, and bad breath. It is caused by the rapid buildup of bacteria in the mouth due to periodontal disease. It is important to know the signs of periodontal disease such as bleeding gums and to seek dental guidance as soon as you notice this.
- There are other rare conditions that can cause darkening gums such as Addison’s disease and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Both conditions can cause a person to develop dark patches on their body, including in their gum tissues.
What are the solutions and prevention to black and darkening gums?
The solutions and prevention of dark and blackening gums will depend on the reason for the coloration. A person with dark gums due to pigmentation can opt for cosmetic procedures such as gum depigmentation, which can remove the dark spots. For people who have dark or black gums due to other circumstances such as smoking, medicine, or gum disease, it is important to identify the change in the color of gum tissue, seek medical advice, and change the behavior causing it. If changes to gum color is detected early, it can be treated and prevented from coming back.