Having dark gums can make you look weird, sick, or abnormal. This can have a devastating impact on your confidence, especially if it makes you feel self-conscious. It can also cause embarrassment in social situations, since you always feel the need to permanently hide your smile. The good news is that the problem of black gums can be successfully addressed in order to allow you to regain your beautiful smile and confidence.
A Complete Guide For Treating Black Gums
There are a number of black gums treatments available. The best action plan for getting rid of your black gums depends on your individual situation, the cause of your condition, and what treatment option that you’re most comfortable with.
So, to determine the most effective solution for getting rid of your black gums, you must first establish the cause and then undertake a careful assessment of your needs. Possible causes of black gums include: racial or physiological/hereditary pigmentation, certain diseases and conditions, certain medications, poor oral hygiene, smoking, medications, metallic fillings or crowns, and smoking.
Black Gums and Spots on Gums: Causes, Treatment, and More
Remedy for Black Gums That Have Been Caused By Smoking
Healthy, well-cared-for gums should appear pink and firm. But, if you’re a heavy smoker, you may notice that you have darker gums than those of your non-smoking friends or you have brown or dark spots on your gums. These brown spots or darkened gum areas are caused by the buildup of tar and other substances present in cigarette smoke, and may disappear on their own if you quit smoking and improve your oral hygiene. So consider quitting smoking to get rid of darkened gum areas and boost your overall oral health. If these dark spots (“smoker’s melanosis”) fail to go away on their own, you may want to consider laser gum spot removal treatment. A dental laser can target and remove the dark patches caused by cigarette smoke, providing a lighter and more uniform pink color of the gums.
Treatment for Black Gums Caused By Fillings or Crowns
Dentures, filings and crowns may cause some patients to develop spotty gums, a form of gum discoloration often referred to as an amalgam tattoo. This discoloration is caused by tiny particles that migrate from metallic fillings or crowns and wedge themselves into the gums. It usually has a dark or bluish appearance (much like that of a tattoo); and though it is typically benign and harmless, it can ruin your smile and make you feel self-conscious. The best way to eliminate an amalgam tattoo is through the use of laser gum spot removal. This procedure involves the use of lasers or pulsed light to break down the dark patches, allowing you to achieve the lightening effect that you desire.
Treating Black Gums Arising From Poor Oral Hygiene
Another causative factor of black gums is poor dental hygiene, which can lead to accumulation of hardened plaque (tartar). Hardened plaque attached to the gums may appear as dark patches. This can be addressed through a professional teeth cleaning at a dentist’s office. The dental hygienist will use specialized tools to remove the dark, hardened tartar from your gums and bring them back to their original pink luster. To prevent the recurrence of this problem, make sure you brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove plaque and visit a dental hygienist if it does develop and you’re not able to remove it. Failure to remove plaque could lead to receding gums and eventually trigger serious problems like gum disease in the future.
Treatment for Black Gums Caused By Diseases, Infections and Medications
Certain diseases, such as Von Recklinghausen’s disease (VRD), Peutz Jeghers syndrome, and Addison’s disease, may cause increased melanin pigmentation leading to darkened gums. With Addison’s disease, the discoloration is characterized by bluish, black to brown color and is caused by adrenal dysfunction.
Gum diseases may also cause darkening of the gums. Acute necrotizing periodontal disease (ulcerative gingivitis) is one condition that is known to cause this problem of black gums. The discoloration, which tends to be black in color, is as a result of dead tissue, or necrosis, on the affected areas of the gum. Other symptoms include: dental pain, bleeding, tender and blunted gum tissue, and foul odor coming from the mouth. Some of the risk factors that contribute to this condition include: smoking, inadequate nutrition, stress, HIV, autoimmune disorder and viruses. If left unaddressed, the disease can spread to other areas of the mouth and lead to serious complications.
Malignant melanoma and internal bleeding are also known to cause darkly discolored spots on the gums.
As well as diseases and oral infections, the use of certain medications such as tricylic antidepressants and minocycline, antimalarial agents can lead to darkened gums.
Black gums arising from diseases and infections, as well as those from medications, can be treated using common techniques such as gum bleaching, surgery or laser gum spot removal therapy. Obviously, the underlying condition must be treated first before the black gums are marked as natural pink using these techniques. Once the health condition that is causing gum discoloration is resolved, gum bleaching, surgery or laser treatment can be administered.
Treating Black Gums That Are As A Result Of Genetics
Although most people have pink gums, there are individuals who have dark or black gums that are completely normal. These individuals suffer no condition, impairment or illness that would necessitate specialized care; and, in fact, most of them tend to be comfortable with their appearance. However, for some, having black gums can be a confidence shattering experience.
Naturally dark gums can sometimes occur due to imbalances in pigmentation or increased concentration of melanin in some areas. It could also arise from natural factors, such as excessive sun exposure or scars from bruises. But whatever the cause, this problem can be addressed through the use of laser gum spot removal treatment, bleaching, or surgery.
The Treatment Process
– Laser gum depigmentation: In this procedure, dental lasers are used to vaporize (break down) and remove the thin top layer of the darkened gum tissue. This destroys the cells that produce melanin, substance responsible for skin pigmentation. As new gum tissue is created during healing, it tends to be healthy pink rather than black. The procedure is virtually painless, and provides one of the most effective ways to treat black gums.
– Gum bleaching: During the gum bleaching procedure, your dentist will use a special bleaching solution in conjunction with laser to de-pigment your gums. A topical numbing agent will be applied to your gums to ensure you enjoy a comfortable and pain-free treatment experience. This procedure is generally painless, but those with sensitive gums may experience some degree of discomfort for a short time.
– Surgical method: The surgical method for turning black gums into natural pink involves the removal of the outer layer of gum epithelium that has dark pigmentation. The underlying connective tissue is intentionally left to heal and form new epithelium. The new gum epithelium which emerges is usually pink in color and free of dark pigmentation. This procedure though intrusive is painless and typically carried out under local anesthesia.
Each of these gum depigmentation methods has its own pros and cons and you should work with your dentist to determine the most appropriate treatment for your black gums.
How do you get rid of black gums? I have yellow teeth and am wondering, how to get rid of the dark gums. Are there any remedies that i can use.
I don’t think there’s anything you can do about your gums, but there are a lot of at home teeth bleaching kits available. Once you whiten your teeth, your darker gums might actually make your teeth seem even more vibrant and glorious!
BTW…all you folk who aren’t paying attention…I think Jackeeee might be African-American and it’s not terribly unusual for African Americans to have darker gums. It doesn’t mean they have mouth rot……
I have noticed my gums going really black? I’ve been smoking for 2 years now. My brother pointed out that my gums had gone really dark. I do know that if you smoke, your gums and lips go darker. But my question is, will my gums go back to it’s normal colour when i stop smoking (im planning to go cold turkey although i’ve been adviced against it) or are there any treatments that can help it to go back to its normal colour???
Thanks in advance
They will go back to their normal color if you stop smoking. You should start seeing a change in 3-6 months.
I haven’t been to the dentist in 6 years. I know, stupid. My gums have been bleeding and feeling loose and I can visibly see plaque on my teeth so I went to the dentist today. I suspected I may have gum disease and the dentist confirmed it. She said my teeth were decent given the circumstance but I had moderate to aggressive gum disease which is really unusual for someone my age. I was referred to a dental hygienist later today. She explained that I didn’t just have gum disease but a multitude of problems. She scaled all the tartar out of my teeth (holy crap this was painful, there was a lot of blood afterwards) and said it would be astonishing to even see a 30 year old with this many problems. She recommend me a toothbrush, went through how to effectively clean my teeth with a demonstration and also recommended a mouthwash. I have another appointment in 8 weeks to see if there is any progress. If not she will have to prescribe antibiotics and see what the next steps are. The next couple of years are going to be critical to my teeth. I just hope the damage is reversible.
Certified dental assistant here! I work in an office that specializes in periodontal (gum) care! Good for you, by the way, for stepping up your self-care game 🙂 That in of itself will make a difference. Some tips for you, if you would like:
Invest in a Sonicare toothbrush. Amazingly gentle cleaning power – I use one myself! Some models even have a ‘Gum Care’ setting.
Definitely floss floss floss! At least once a day if you can. You may bleed a lot at first, but the more persistent you are, the less you will bleed until eventually you don’t bleed when you brush or floss at all 🙂
Did your hygienist review gum stimulators with you? Like an interdental massager (a rubber tip). Using these can help stimulate blood flow to your gums.
Consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse, such as Therasol! I’m fairly certain this is an Rx-only rinse, though. Ask your hygienist if she recommends it or something like it.
I would recommend staying away from Crest toothpastes with those tiny flecks in them. You know, the things that look like ultra-tiny breath strips? Yeah. Those are non-biodegradable polyethylene plastic pieces. They can embed themselves in your gums and cause more harm than good.
Sorry for the blabbing! I am just very passionate about periodontal care and don’t often see related posts here 🙂 Best of luck and keep it up!
See your dentist. Black gums are usually caused by calcifications stuck to the tooth that have worked their way under your gums. A huge sign of gum disease.
These black calcifications must be completely removed to allow your gums to heal. You may require several treatments under local anesthetic.