When you have dark gums instead of coral pink ones, you may find yourself feeling self-conscious. It’s also possible that your gums may have a mottled pattern to them leaving you feel unsettled. In either case you may want to know why this is happening and what you can do about them.
Why You Have Dark Gums
Your gums contain the same pigment that your skin contains. So, like your skin can come in various shades, your gums can too. Some people even have melanin speckles on their gums giving them a freckled appearance. When your genetic makeup makes your gums look darker, you shouldn’t be concerned because they’re probably healthy. If they’re really bothering you, it’s possible to have them lightened – a completely safe process.
Your lifestyle may also affect your gums’ color. For instance, taking minocycline for the treatment of acne can change your gums’ color. Other lifestyle choices like smoking will also change the color of your gums. Changing medications or stopping smoking can help your gums grow lighter again. If this isn’t an option, it is possible to bleach your gums so they will look lighter in color. This is something you’ll want to have us do for you because you must be numbed with a local anesthetic.
When Dark Gums are Problematic
There are some times when you should be concerned about dark gums because they could be a sign that you have acute gum disease. When you have this your dark gum color is telling you that the tissue there is quickly dying.
If you’re concerned that your gums are a darker color than you should think they should be, give our office a call. We can schedule an appointment for you to come into our office so we can take a look at your gums.
