When it comes to your mouth, most people are worried about two things—their breath and their teeth. But did you know that even your gums can play a part in shaping your overall dental health? If you’ve noticed that the color of your gums has changed and become darker, then you might be suffering from dark gums, also known as gum hyperpigmentation….
Introduction:
The most common symptom is dark black spots or blotches on the gums. On rare occasions, It may be a sign of an underlying condition. Gum hyperpigmentation can be hard to diagnose and treat but there are ways to get rid of dark gums for good. Let’s take a look at what you should know about this condition and how you can tackle it head-on.
Why Does It happen?
Dark gums are caused by a build-up of melanin in the gum tissue. Melanin is a skin pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. When melanin builds up on your teeth it darkens the gum line and can appear as dark spots on the gums.
There are three major causes for the darkening of the gum line; genetics, trauma to the gingiva, and chronic inflammation. Genetics is also known as congenital melanosis where someone was born with darker gums than others who may not have it at all. Trauma to the gingiva could be from brushing too hard or from aggressive chewing or biting habits which can cause injury to the tissue that leads to bleeding and bruising.
Does Age Play A Role?
Although not very common, age can play a role in gum hyperpigmentation. It is more prevalent in middle-aged and older adults, but black gums can affect people of all ages. The most common symptom is dark black spots or blotches on the gums. On rare occasions, it may be a sign of a problem such as inflammation, infection, or something more serious like oral cancer. In this case, you should consult your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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How Is It Diagnosed?
The term black gums is a colloquialism for hyperpigmentation in the mouth. Hyperpigmentation is a medical term that refers to an increase in melanin content in the skin or tissues of the body, which results in the darkening of the affected area. There are various causes of hyperpigmentation, including sun exposure and aging. In some cases, it may be caused by malignancy (cancer). If you have black spots on your gums that have not changed after two weeks, you should see a doctor determine if there is an underlying cause for this condition. While black spots on your gums can be harmless at times, they could also be a sign of something more serious like oral cancer.
Who Gets It?
Gum hyperpigmentation is a common oral condition. It affects men, women, and children of all ages. The most common symptom of gum hyperpigmentation is dark black spots or blotches on the gums. A person can have a few small spots on their gums or hundreds of large areas that cover the majority of their gums. In some cases, it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as chronic kidney disease, leprosy, vitamin C deficiency, and HIV infection.
Prevention And Treatment:
The best way to prevent dark gums is to avoid things that can cause them. One of the most common causes of dark gum coloration is tobacco use, so cutting back or quitting entirely can help. Tobacco use also leads to other serious problems, like heart disease and cancer, so it’s a good idea for everyone to avoid it. For those who are already experiencing dark gum coloration from another cause, there are treatments that work well at lightening the appearance of the area. One such treatment involves applying hydrogen peroxide directly to the area for a few minutes each day. It should be noted that this treatment takes time and patience and may not work for everyone.
Share your Experience With Black Gums:
I’ve always been self-conscious about the dark spots on my gums. It’s not that I was embarrassed to talk to people or anything, but it just bothered me how different my mouth looked from everyone else’s. I tried a few things like using baking soda to lighten the stains, but nothing seemed to work. That is, until one day I saw an ad for __ on social media and decided it was worth a shot. The results were instant and now I feel much more confident in my smile!