How to get rid of black gums
This article gum disease and how to get rid of black gums and treatments, causes, etc.
Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque under and along the gum line. If ignored, plaque can lead to an infection that can affect the gums, bones, and connective tissues. It’s important to understand the progression of gum disease, especially the early signs of a problem, so you can take action as soon as possible.
The early stage of gum disease is also known as gingivitis. Since gingivitis is usually painless, the first symptoms of a problem are inflammation, tenderness, redness, continued bad breath, or a little blood when brushing and flossing. The good news is that contracting gum disease at this stage means there is an opportunity to reverse the damage.
As gum disease progresses to periodontitis and advanced periodontitis, the symptoms become more noticeable and may become painful. Receding gums are one of the most obvious signs of disease progression. This is where pockets form around the teeth and then the tissues and ligaments that connect the teeth to the jaw separate. Once gum disease reaches advanced stages, the only treatment options may be tooth extraction and even gum grafting.
What are healthy gums like?
The composition of the gums is a mixture of fibrous, hard, and sensitive tissue. Our gums serve to join the tooth to the alveolar bone. Its natural and healthy color is pink, however, in many patients, dark brown or even black spots are noticed. Although this may only represent an aesthetic problem, in some cases it is linked to the patient’s dental health.
For example, when there are blackheads on the gums, this may indicate that there is a serious condition. So it is best to go to the dentist in these cases, especially if the gum changes size or discomfort or pain appears. But the first thing that will surely change is its color, thus appearing dark spots in some parts or the entire area.
How to get rid of black gums
So what do you need to do to keep your gums healthy?
These are the basics:
1) Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to brush along the gum line as well as the teeth (let your dentist explain the correct brush and technique for your case).
2) Replace worn-out toothbrushes at least every month because they can hurt your gums.
3) Floss between your teeth and/or use an interdental cleaner at least once a day. Check which ones)
4) Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash at least once a day. (See which ones).
5) See your dentist for checkups and cleanings two or more times a year. If your gums are bleeding, don’t wait, Visit your dentist immediately. If you have periodontal disease, your dentist or dental assistant may use deep cleaning measures, use lasers, and/or apply antibiotics. If the disease is advanced, ordinary surgery or laser can clean the diseased gums.
6) Keep your dentist updated about any changes in your general health, especially if you are pregnant or entering menopause, or if you have a condition such as diabetes. In these cases, pay special attention to your dental health, because you may be more susceptible to gingivitis.
7) Limit snacks and sugary drinks for how to get rid of black gums.
8) Eat a balanced diet. A recent study in men aged 65 and older showed a special benefit from eating a diet rich in high-fiber fruits. This appears to slow the progression of periodontal disease.
9) If you are a smoker, do everything possible to quit. People who smoke may be up to four times more likely to develop advanced periodontal disease than non-smokers.
Why are my gums black?
Or, Causes of black gums:
There are various reasons why black spots may appear on the gums. One of the most common causes is gingival melanosis, which is a natural pigmentation of the gums. Gingival melanosis can occur in people of all ages and is characterized by increased melanin production in the skin of the gums. This condition does not usually have repercussions on oral health, but it can be aesthetically uncomfortable for some people.
Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause dark spots on the gums, as well as increase the risk of developing periodontal disease and oral cancer. Tobacco contains chemicals that can alter gum pigmentation and damage oral tissues.
In addition to smoking, some other conditions and factors can contribute to the appearance of black gums:
Oral melanoacanthoma
It is a benign lesion that can appear as a black spot on the gums. Although it is not a dangerous condition, an evaluation by the dentist is necessary to rule out any other complications.
Rash bruises
During teething, bruising of the gums may occur due to the pressure exerted by erupting teeth. These stains are usually temporary and will disappear as the teeth come in completely.
Amalgam tattoos
Sometimes, after having a dental amalgam filling, a dark tattoo may remain on the nearby gums. This type of stain may require professional treatment to remove.
Natural variations in gum color
As with the skin, gums can have natural variations in color, ranging from light pink to darker shades. These variations are usually not a cause for concern and do not require treatment unless they are accompanied by other symptoms.
Medicines
Some medications, such as certain antipsychotics and antimalarials, can cause side effects such as changes in gum pigmentation, including darkening. If you notice changes in the color of your gums after starting a new medication, it is important to inform your dentist and the doctor who prescribed the drug.
Genetic factors
People with melanoplakia have a higher concentration of melanin in the gums, it is of genetic origin and is what determines that black people have dark gums.
The fact that the gum turns black due to natural causes is not harmful to health and can be eliminated with aesthetic treatment.
Oral cancer
Some forms of oral cancer can manifest as dark spots on the gums. If you notice any change in the discoloration of your gums, it is important to consult a dental professional for a proper diagnosis.
Read more: What are black spots on the teeth, causes, prevent, and more
What are the symptoms of gum disease
Symptoms of gum disease can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some of the common symptoms include:
*Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
*Persistent bad breath
*Pain and sensitivity in the gums
*Red, inflamed, or swollen gums
*Loss of teeth or separation of teeth
It is important to see a dentist if you experience any of these symptoms. The sooner gum disease is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis.
How to get rid of black gums with cosmetic treatments
As noted above, not all discolorations require treatment, but it’s a good idea to monitor your gums with regular appointments with your dentist and watch for changes. Most dark pigmentations in the gums will not cause you any pain, although you could seek cosmetic treatments if they bother you, however, the dentist will be in charge of offering you a range of options personalized for your condition.
Incisional treatment of the darkened area:
Incising dark spots with a scalpel works well but may be temporary depending on the underlying cause. More specifically, the cells responsible for pigmentation can migrate back to the area that has been treated and cause a new dark coloration.
Gingival graft treatment:
The gingival graft consists of taking non-pigmented tissue from the palate and applying it to the affected gums, to hide the pigmented area and show uniform gums.
Cryosurgery Treatment:
Cryosurgery or freezing the gums consists of freezing the gum tissue to stop the production of melanin, through the death of the cells that produce it. According to evidence, subsequent attendance at the dentist of patients who have been treated with this procedure decreases after surgery, indicating that it may be one of the most effective methods.
How to remove black spots on gums
As we have seen, the causes of stains are very diverse. Therefore, for different stains on the gums, the treatment will be different. Black stains are the easiest to remove. In this case, they will be treated with gingival microsurgery, which uses a laser that eliminates these stains, returning the natural tone to the gums.
If the stains on the gums are due to smoking, it will be a little more complicated since the patient’s commitment to quitting the habit is required to see real improvement.
White spots are a little more complicated when it comes to treatments. The treatment for each case will depend on the disease causing the spots. If it is due to poor oral hygiene, the patient will have to be taught to follow a correct routine to prevent and avoid the appearance of gum stains.
In any case, it is recommended that from the first moment you detect a stain or discomfort, you visit a dentist specializing in periodontics. The sooner they are diagnosed, the sooner they can be treated and the better the outcome.
FAQ for How to get rid of black gums
What is the link between gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontitis?
When you’re concerned about your gums and start doing your research, you can quickly become confused with multiple technical medical terms used to refer to the same disease: gum disease.
Here’s how the terms differ: Gum disease is the general term used to describe bacterial infection in the mouth. Both gingivitis and periodontitis are words used to describe gum disease, but the words are not interchangeable and do not mean the same thing. Gingivitis describes the initial (and reversible) stage of gum disease.
The one distinguished by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when rubbed or flossed. If gingivitis is not treated with better oral hygiene, it can progress and become the more serious (non-reversible) stage of gum disease called periodontitis, which attacks the gums, bone, and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place. their place, eventually loosening them to the point of falling out. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. That’s why it’s best to address early gum issues with a foolproof rinsing routine.
Does every mouthwash treat gum disease?
No, not all mouthwashes have the ingredients to eliminate bacteria that lead to gum disease.
Check the ingredients on the mouthwash label to confirm if they contain the four essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, and thymol) that fight gum disease.
What is that sticky layer on my gums?
A thin layer of bacteria known as biofilm can adhere to almost any wet surface. That’s why you may feel your gums and teeth coated in slime when you wake up in the morning. Biofilm formation is normal and happens to everyone, even those who brush, floss, and use mouthwash. The problem comes when this biofilm is not eliminated every 12 hours, which can spread and become bacterial plaque; something that not everyone has.
Plaque is made up of some bad bacteria (the kind that grows on sugar residue left on gums and teeth and is converted into the acid that causes cavities) and some good bacteria (the kind that makes biofilm less attractive). for acid-hungry bacteria).
A person with a strict oral hygiene routine, who brushes, flosses, and rinses their mouth daily, can control and minimize the size of biofilm and potentially make it healthier by increasing the number of good bacteria. containing.
But when the oral hygiene routine is more lax, and the gums and teeth are cleaned and rinsed less frequently, this biofilm grows in the form of bacterial plaque (generally pale yellow) that can solidify into tartar and that only dentists with Your professional tools can remove.
Why do my gums bleed?
As we get older, it’s increasingly common to see a drop or two of blood in the sink after brushing or flossing; It’s so common that many of us think it’s no big deal.
But bleeding gums, even during a dental cleaning, is not normal and is not a sign of a healthy mouth. They are signs, possibly along with other similar warning signs of gum disease such as swelling or redness.
Millions of adults have some form of gum disease, however, only a very small fraction realize it since gum pain is not an early symptom.
The good news is that early-stage gum disease is reversible, simply by improving your daily oral hygiene routine and more frequent visits to the dentist to remove plaque and tartar with professional tools. But if you ignore it, this bleeding in the sink can progress to a disease that erodes the jaw bone, resulting in tooth loss.
If you notice any bleeding, do not wait for another second to start a proper oral hygiene routine that includes mouthwash twice a day after correct brushing and flossing.
Why do my gums recede?
You’ve noticed one of the most telltale signs of intermediate-stage gum disease. And this one you don’t want to ignore. If you find that your gums and bone are receding from your teeth making the bottom of your teeth visible, you are closer to the moment when your gums separate.
It is often referred to as gum shrinkage, and when this happens, the roots of your teeth become exposed to harmful bacteria and your mouth becomes susceptible to a whole host of health problems. If it is accompanied by red, swollen gums that bleed when brushing, we are likely facing the early stage of gum disease.
If left untreated, gum recession can have serious, irreversible consequences, including loss of dentin (the hard, dense tissue that forms the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel to keep it firmly in place), and roots. Exposed skin can become soft, painful, and even infected.
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