What makes gums black

Medication Some common medications, including some prescribed for acne and infections, can affect the pigmentation of the gums. Smoking Why do your gums turn black from smoking?

Medical Conditions Certain medical conditions can cause oral changes, including black gums. Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis , a severe gum infection, can cause gums to turn black or grey. Oral Cancer can alter the color of your gums, though it generally appears as a black spot rather than overall discoloration. Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome , a genetic condition, appears as dark blue or brown freckles that usually appear during childhood.

The freckles generally fade over time, but people with Peutz-Jeghers could be at greater risk for developing cancer. Excision of the darkened spots with a scalpel works well, but it may be temporary depending on the underlying cause. Cryosurgery , or freezing the gums, reduces the chance of recurrence.

Gingival grafting involves taking unpigmented tissue from the roof of your mouth and applying it to the affected gums. High-quality, affordable dentistry and orthodontics provided by caring staff in state-of-the-art dental offices. Schedule an Appointment Now. Location Time. Zip Code. Use My Location. Invisalign Clear Aligners. Gums come in many different shades. Black gums are often simply a natural variation and not a medical concern.

If you're concerned about the color of your gums, talk to your dentist. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Shop Now. Our Mission. Contact Us. United States US English. Submit an Idea. Brand Logo. All rights reserved. Terms Of Use. Privacy Policy.

About Our Ads. White gums can be caused by several things. The first being what is called thrush, a fungal infection of the mouth. To treat this, you can contact your dentist , who will scrape off the fungus from areas of the gums and give you proper instructions on how to keep the fungus from returning. Another cause of white gums is a condition known as leukoplakia , a precancerous condition that often occurs due to tobacco or alcohol. This condition also calls for a dentist to be consulted to take steps to prevent any further damage.

Of course, the best way to battle gum discoloration is by practicing proper oral care and brushing and flossing everyday along with visiting a dentist once every six months. If you have any more questions about gum discoloration, do not hesitate to contact Water Tower Dental, Chicago's 1 rated dentistry , or request an appointment by clicking on the green button at the top of the page.

We can help you identify what is causing your gum discoloration to put your mind at ease. This usually happens when the eruption cyst is injured by a bump or fall.

Eruption hematomas are very common in children as both their baby teeth and permanent teeth come in. They usually go away on their own after the tooth comes in. Amalgam is the particle used for dental fillings. Sometimes these particles become lodged in the area around the filling causing a stain in the soft tissue. Your doctor can usually diagnose an amalgam spot just by looking at it.

To prevent them, you can ask your dentist to use a rubber dam the next time you get a filling. This separates your teeth from your gums during dental procedures, preventing particles from getting into surrounding tissue.

Blue nevi can look either black or blue and usually look like a freckle on your gums. Like amalgam tattoos, your doctor can usually diagnose a blue nevus just by looking at it.

However, if its shape, color, or size starts to change, your doctor may do a biopsy , which involves removing a piece of the nevus to test it for cancer.

Melanotic macules are harmless spots that look like freckles. They can show up on different parts of your body, including your gums. Others develop them later in life. Your doctor may do a biopsy to test the spot for cancer if its shape, color, or size starts to change. Oral melanoacanthoma is a rare condition that causes dark spots to develop in different parts of the mouth, including the gums. These spots are harmless and tend to happen in younger people.