Dark Gums: What Causes Them and How To Treat Them

 

Introduction

 

Dental health is something that most people take for granted. Some people brush their teeth, floss and visit the dentist as needed, but they usually don’t think about how important it is to know if your gums are healthy or not. 

In fact, dark gums could be an indication of several different dental problems in your mouth, so it’s very important to know what causes them and how best to treat them.

What Causes Dark Gums?

Dark gums can be caused by a number of factors, including poor oral hygiene, smoking, hormonal changes, and certain medications. 

If a layer of dead tissue accumulates on top of the gums, an infection may result in black or gray gums.

The most common cause of dark gums is poor oral hygiene. This includes not brushing at least twice per day and flossing every day. 

Brushing your teeth helps remove plaque that causes tooth decay, while flossing removes food particles from between your teeth, which can lead to gum infections if left untreated. 

Dark gums are one of the many adverse effects of smoking that can occur inside the mouth. According to research, nicotine from cigarettes stimulates the melanin-producing cells, which results in darker gums. Smoking cessation may aid in lightening this dark color.

Black gums might occasionally be an indication of a more serious condition. A black spot on the gums may indicate malignant melanoma, an oral cancer kind. 

What Can You Do To Prevent Dark Gums?

There are a few things you can do to prevent dark gums.

•          Brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day.

•          Use mouthwash.

•          Drink lots of water throughout the day, especially after eating foods that are high in sugar or fat content (this will help wash away trapped food particles).

•          Eat healthy foods that provide vitamins and minerals (e.g., fruits, vegetables).

If you smoke or drink too much alcohol, try to quit these habits as they can cause your teeth to become stained and lead to gum disease if not given up altogether.

How to Treat Dark Gums?

To treat dark gums, you need to:

•          Use a soft toothbrush. This will help you avoid damaging your gums even more by brushing too hard.

•          Brush twice a day, once in the morning and once at night before bed. Brushing after meals is important because it has been shown that food particles can build up quickly on the teeth and cause decay if left untreated.

•          Floss once daily to remove debris that may be stuck between teeth or below the gum line.

•         Visit your dentist regularly so they can perform any necessary procedures such as scaling or root planing (also called “deep cleaning”).

Scaling removes tartar from above, below and around the tooth surface using ultrasonic scalers under local anesthesia (having anesthetic on hand), while root planing removes plaque from below the gums using hand instruments until bleeding occurs due to irritation of nerves located near this area being irritated by tough tartar deposits underneath them."

How can you be sure of your gum health?

As mentioned, it is important to be aware of any changes in your gums, as they can be a sign of gum disease. 

If you notice that your gums are dark or have patches of bleeding, speak with a dentist immediately, who will examine them and assess the situation. 

By taking care of your teeth at home and seeing a dentist regularly for checkups, you’ll be able to keep an eye on what’s going on inside your mouth.

The gums play an important role in the health of our mouths. We often take them for granted, but if you suffer from dark gums, it is a sign that something is wrong and proper treatment should be sought immediately.

Dark gums can be a sign that there is inflammation in the gum tissue, and if left untreated could lead to periodontal disease.

Gum disease is a common condition that can cause a number of health problems besides dark gums. 

It occurs when bacteria in your mouth build up under the gums and destroy the bone around your teeth. This infection may be caused by poor oral hygiene or genetics, (and sometimes both).

To avoid dark gums, you need to maintain good oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing regularly and visiting your dentist for checkups every six months.

Summary

So what causes dark gums? The main culprits are poor oral hygiene, smoking, excessive drinking and aging. 

These factors can lead to gum disease which is characterized by bleeding gums, swollen or tender gingival tissue around the teeth and bad breath. 

To prevent this condition from developing, it is crucial that you brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush (ideally one with rounded ends). 

In addition, using floss once per day will help remove food particles or plaque that may have accumulated on surfaces between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach.