8 factors behind dark gums (1)
                     8 Factors behind dark gums
Gum color varies for each person. In general, our gums appear pink in color. 
Few people  have gums with tiny reddish dots or dark pink. In contrast, 
purple, black colored gums also  appear for some people. You may also notice 
such persons. Right?
If you have such black gums, don’t neglect it because it may be a warning 
sign of any  serious dental disease underlying the gums.
Similarly, don’t scare or worry regarding the black-colored gums. Black gums 
are not  caused only by dental diseases. Many unknown factors are 
related to black gums.
Our Dentists in Surya Dental Care have listed them in this post. Let us see.
1) Melanin
Melanin is the natural substance present in our body. It provides the color of 
our skin. If a  person has a high concentration of melanin in his/her body, it is 
common that their gums  also appear dark like their skin. If the black gums 
occur as a result of the genetic effect,  it will not cause pain or any issues.
2) Bruises
Gum injuries occur with hard brushing or flossing and while biting hard 
substances that  damage the gum tissues and others. When there is a wound 
in the gums, it appears red  and at times black or brown. Such black gums 
caused due to injuries will go off after  healing.
3) Amalgam Tattoo
Dental bridges, crowns and filling materials are made by blending certain 
metals. The  mixture is known as amalgam. While treating cavities, the 
diseased tooth is filled  with dental filling materials that include amalgam.
If the amalgam particles dislodged in or around the filled tooth, it will cause 
dark spots on  the gum regions around the tooth. It makes the gum appear 
dark or black in color. Such  amalgam tattoos will cause any complications or 
lead to serious infections.
4) Smoking
You may notice the lips of smokers appear purple in color. It is due to the 
nicotine present  in cigarettes. The same is also a reason behind black gums.
Melanocytes is the melanin-producing cells present inside our body. When a 
person  consumes nicotine while smoking, it induces more melanocytes which 
in turn produces  higher levels of melanin. It causes dark spots, patches on 
the gum. If a person smokes  frequently, the dark patches will extend all over 
the gum tissues and turn it as black gum.
Quit smoking is the only solution to overcome black gum disease and restore 
healthy  gums
5) Medication
Medications or drugs which we take to get rid of infections like chlamydia are 
effective to  stain our gums. Likewise, medications like minocycline and 
others that contain antimalarial  agents are also powerful to cause gum 
discoloration.
If you encounter such black or dark colored gums due to medication, consult 
your Doctor  to replace it.
6) Eruption Hematoma
While the teeth are erupting, a cyst is formed in the underlying region. 
Sometimes, few  drops of blood mixed with the cyst. This condition is known 
as Eruption Hematoma. The  eruption cyst with blood appears dark. It makes 
the gum looks black in color.
It is normal and you don’t need to worry about this. It will go off over a period 
of time.
7) Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
It is a kind of gum disease that occurs due to poor oral hygiene that leads to 
breed up of  bacteria in the mouth. The infection produces a black colored 
biofilm on the gums by  deposition of the dead cells over the gum layer. This 
ends in dark gums.
Its symptoms include bad breath, gum bleeding and other symptoms that 
indicate  gingivitis. Professional dental cleaning done at the dental office is 
required to cure this.
8) Health issues
As mentioned earlier, black gums occur as a side effect of various diseases or 
health  infections. Most common complications that are associated with dark 
gums are as follows:
Oral Melanoacanthoma – The cause of this condition is still unknown. 
Researchers  believe that the friction in the mouth caused due to jaw 
movements is the reason. It makes  different parts of the mouth including 
gums appear dark.
Addison’s disease – It is a serious condition that affects our adrenal glands. 
This in turn,  affects the normal functioning of our body. Hyperpigmentation 
arises as an effect of this  disease and produces dark patches in various parts 
including gums. It can be identified  with symptoms like pale-colored spots on 
the skin, dehydration, etc.
Thrombocytopenia – This is a condition that arduous the blood clotting 
process. It takes  advantage of an injury in the gum tissues and inherits the 
gum wounds.
Blue Nevus – Similar to Oral Melanoacanthoma, the base cause of this disease 
is also  not identified. It produces a small mole in the gums that looks like 
swelling and makes the  gums look discolored. A Dentist can easily diagnose 
this condition by seeing the size and  color of the mole.
Melanotic Macule – This causes dark colored patches in various parts of our 
body  including gums. It may cause due to genetic disorders for some people. 
Some people are  affected by this disease when they become older.
Conclusion
Black gums are not complicated to treat or harmful as you think. Even though 
it is  harmless, it leaves one with unattractive appearance or smile. Modern 
technologies in  Dentistry have empowered to shade or lighten the dark-
colored gums with gum whitening  treatments.