Just like skin color, gum color can greatly vary from one person to the other — it’s not always that perfectly healthy gum tissue is pink in color.
It is very much likely for people with dark-colored skin to have dark-colored gums, too. In some instances, however, dark coloration of the gums could be due to the administration of certain drugs, presence of a medical condition, or lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking.
Wondering why your gums are black in color? Then keep on reading. Below you will come across some of the most common reasons why you have dark-colored gums.
Lots of Melanin
Is your skin dark in color? Then don’t be surprised if your gum tissue is darker than pink — you can put the blame on having lots of melanin, a pigment that gives the skin its dark color.
There is no need to be concerned if your gums have been black for as long as you can remember. However, it is an entirely different matter if your gums suddenly changed in color recently or have dark-colored spots — in order to be sure, it’s a good idea to pay your dentist a visit.
Administration of Certain Drugs
Perhaps you have heard or read before that there are certain drugs that can stain your pearly whites. Did you know that there are also those that can in fact leave your gums discolored?
Certain antidepressants, anti-malarial medications and antibiotics are known to cause darkening of the gums. If you suspect that it is your prescription medication that is leaving your gum tissue darkened, don’t just suddenly stop taking it. What you need to do is report the problem to the prescribing doctor.
Amalgam Tattoo
There is a type of metal that is used for making fillings and crowns, and it’s called amalgam. The problem with it is that it can sometimes get dislodged and then leach into neighboring tissue, such as the gums, causing blue, gray or black patches to come into being.
Such discoloration brought about by amalgam is what’s referred to by dentists as amalgam tattoo. The good news is that it’s something that won’t put your gum health in some form of danger — it’s just a purely cosmetic issue.
Cigarette Smoking
Everyone knows that cigarette smoking comes with so many different serious health repercussions, ranging from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, heart attack to stroke. Are you aware that it’s also something that can make you look and feel less attractive as it can cause black gums?
This very nasty habit can cause dark-colored patches to appear on the gums. It can also cause your entire gums as well as other tissues situated in the oral cavity to darken, too. Fret not because experts say that gum darkening stops as soon as you quit smoking.
Trench Mouth
Dentists refer to it as acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, while everyone else calls it trench mouth. Put simply, it is a type of gum infection that can cause pain, fever and bad breath. Affected gum tissue may die, causing it to become grey or black in color.
Gingivitis is the one to blame for trench mouth, although at times it can also be due to severe stress, lack of sleep and having an unhealthy diet.
Adrenal Disease
You have glands referred to as adrenals, and they produce hormones that help to regulate the blood pressure, metabolism, immune system and others. There is a health concern called Addison’s disease in which the adrenal glands are no longer secreting enough hormones.
Low blood pressure, anemia, severe weakness, bronze skin and dark-colored gums are some of the signs and symptoms of the said health matter. Treatment for Addison’s disease involves the administration of medications for restoring hormonal balance and dealing with the various associated symptoms.
