Can You Turn Black Gums Pink Again?
Generally speaking, the causes of darkened or hyperpigmented gums are either internal (endogenous) or external (exogenous). Some people are simply born with an increased amount of melanin, which causes the gums to appear dark brown, purple, or black; this is natural and shouldn’t be a cause for medical concern, though it may cause cosmetic concerns. When dark gums appear later in life, some of the external and internal causes of this hyperpigmentation include:
- Smoking or other tobacco use, which encourages the production of melanin in the gums and can cause them to appear brown or black over time, either in patches or throughout the mouth. When tobacco use stops, the coloring of the gums may return to normal.
- Metal shedding or leaching from dental appliances, like metal amalgam fillings or metal-supported crowns. As tiny metal particles are emitted from the dental hardware, it can stain the gums and parts of the inner cheek. These stains might appear as black, gray, or even blue patches of tissue where the tissue makes contact with the dental appliance.
- Certain medications can increase the production and build up of melanin, leading to darkening of the gums and possibly the lips. Some of these medications are an antibiotic called minocycline, some antidepressants, and antimalarial drugs, though these are others.
- Multiple medical conditions can lead to darkening of the oral tissues, including the gums. One possible medical cause is necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, a severe form of gum disease, caused by poor oral hygiene or poor nutrition. Other conditions include certain endocrine conditions, like Addison’s disease, which can cause darkening of the oral tissues and also the skin, and immune diseases like Kaposi’s sarcoma and hemangiomas. Of course, in these cases, it’s imperative to address the underlying condition before considering gum lightening treatment.
If you’re reading this, it may be because you’re concerned about the dark color of your own gums. The good news is that it’s possible to lighten dark gums, regardless of whether you were born with them or whether they developed later in life. When black gums develop because of a medical condition or systemic disease, the underlying cause should be treated before cosmetic procedures are performed. When the gums are darkened due to smoking or because of poor oral hygiene, patients should learn healthier habits before undergoing cosmetic treatments. Once the oral and overall health are stabilized and any underlying concerns are addressed, a dentist can restore the gums to a healthy, vibrant pink with their choice of a few different procedures, including gum bleaching, gingival dermabrasion, laser treatment, or even gum surgery. These cosmetic treatments help remove excess pigmentation from the gum tissues, often by removing the outermost layer of the gums and exposing the pink tissue that lies beneath. Performed with a local anesthetic, these treatments are minimally invasive, require very little recovery time, and can often be performed in under an hour. While black gums aren’t necessarily an indication that something is amiss, they could signal an underlying concern or condition that should be addressed, and they can be treated, regardless of their cause, to improve and enhance the appearance of the smile. If you have questions about your own dark gums, contact your dentist for answers and solutions.