What Your Gums Can Tell About Your Health

The color of someone’s gums can vary due to their lifestyle or medical conditions. Color change in gums can be affected by different factors, whether by a medical condition, medicinal usage, smoking, or poor dental hygiene. The gums are tissues that surround and protect the teeth in place. With good oral hygiene, the gum will remain healthy. Though, if you notice the colors’ changes, you must consult your dentist immediately. Changes in colors indicate an underlying health condition that needs to be evaluated to determine the cause.
What causes black gums? There is a range of conditions such as:

• Melanin
• Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
• Smoking
• Medication
• Amalgam Tattoo
• Addison’s Disease
• Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome
• Genetic Conditions

Treatment for black gum disease is determined depending on the cause. Conditions like gum infections or Addison’s disease can be treated by medication, whereas gum color changes can be stopped by quitting smoking.

By brushing your teeth twice a day daily, flossing once a day, and practice good oral hygiene, you can prevent black gums. In most cases, black gums can be easily treated. Remember to pay attention to the changes in the color of your gums so you can seek professional advice at the early stages.