Causes of Dark Spots on the Gums
- 1: Bruises or Injuries One of the most common reasons a patient comes in with a dark spot on their gums is because of an accidental injury. ...
- 2: Natural Pigmentation Some people have higher amounts of melanin, or pigment, in their bodies. ...
- 3: Medication ...
- 4: Smoking ...
- 5: Amalgam Tattoos ...
- 6: Gum Infection ...
- 7: Oral Cancer ...
What can cause dark spots to form on your gums?
What Causes a Black Spot on Gums?
- Endogenous Causes. Your skin contains cells called melanocytes that secrete the pigment that forms your skin colour. ...
- Exogenous Causes. Foreign objects lodged under the gum tissue can sometimes appear as black spots. ...
- Oral Cancer. ...
- The Importance of Screenings. ...
What are those dark spots between your teeth?
Some of the most common causes of a black or brown spot on your tooth may be due to the following: tooth decay or a cavity. an injury to the affected tooth. tartar buildup on the tooth. staining ...
What are the first signs of gum cancer?
- Bleeding gums
- Cracking of the gums
- Altered sense of taste
- Difficulty eating
- Loosening of the teeth
- Gum pain
- Swollen or thickened gums
What are the causes of black gums?
Gums may turn black for many reasons, including trauma, medication, smoking, hormonal change in the body, and pregnancy. They may also look black if you have oral cancer, Melanoacanthoma, amalgam tattoo, and the condition of having excessive iron in your body.
How do I get rid of black spots around my gums?
Can a dark spot be removed?Peroxide-based tooth bleaching kits or whitening strips. Both at-home and professional teeth whitening treatments can help remove stains and whiten your teeth.Dental prophylaxis. ... Tooth whitening pastes, powder, or liquids. ... Veneers.
Do black gums mean gum disease?
Gums that are bright red, white or unnaturally black may indicate that gum disease is present. In some cases, darker coloured gums can mean disease is present, so if you gums have perceptibly changed colour, it's worth getting them checked out.
Can black gums go away?
Treatment for black gums will depend on the underlying cause. Conditions such as gum infections or Addison's disease will usually need treatment with medication. It may be possible to reverse changes in gum color that are caused by smoking. A doctor should be able to give advice and support on quitting smoking.
How does gingivitis look like?
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums. Dusky red or dark red gums. Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
What color is your gum supposed to be?
It's important to note that while healthy gums are often a pink color, there can be some pale color around your teeth and that's perfectly normal. Now the pink color can vary depending on your race or ethnicity as certain gums will be darker or lighter than others.
What should healthy gums look like?
Healthy gums should look pink and firm, not red and swollen. To keep gums healthy, practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day, see your dentist regularly, and avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.
How can you cure gum disease without a dentist?
Salt water is extremely effective in helping to heal gums affected by gum disease. Salt water can treat inflammation, ease pain, and reduce bacteria in the mouth and gums. Rinsing with salt water 2-3 times a day can be effective in battling a gum infection.
Can you get rid of gingivitis?
Gingivitis usually clears up after a thorough professional cleaning — as long as you continue good oral hygiene at home. Your dentist will help you plan an effective at-home program and a schedule of regular professional checkups and cleaning.
Why do my gums turn black?
Internal Causes. Internal pigments that cause skin color changes can also modify your gums' color to black, grey, blue, or brown. Blood vessels can even dysfunction or rupture, leading to discoloration. Melanin can be altered by a variety of diseases and disorders that affect the production of this pigment.
What causes pigmented mouth?
HIV, also called the human immunodeficiency virus, can lead to pigmented lesions in the mouth.
What causes melanin to change?
Cells in your body that produce melanin are called melanocytes. Tuberculosis and Addison's disease can affect your adrenal glands and cause changes in pigmentation.
Can you see black spots in your mouth?
Oral Cancer. First, we recommend taking a moment to breathe and relax. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, dark spots rarely indicate a serious condition like cancer and are usually benign. Spots in the mouth are often not fully black but may appear that way as they can be hard to see. We’re here to help walk you through the causes ...
Why are my gums black?
Causes of black gums. 1. Melanin. Gum color can vary from red or pink to brown or black. The body naturally produces melanin, a substance that gives the skin, hair, and eyes their color. The more melanin a person has in their body, the darker their hair, skin, or eyes will be.
Why do my gums turn grey?
An infection can cause black or grey gums if a layer of dead tissue builds up over the gums. Trench mouth results from the rapid growth of bacteria in the mouth, usually due to gingivitis. Bacteria may build up because of poor oral hygiene, stress, lack of sleep, or an unhealthful diet.
What does an amalgam tattoo look like?
An amalgam tattoo can appear anywhere in the mouth but usually appears next to a filling. It looks like a black, grey, or blue patch inside the mouth. Amalgam is a mix of metals used to make fillings and crowns. If particles of this material get dislodged, it can show up under the skin of the gum.
How to tell if you have trench mouth?
Early symptoms of trench mouth include bleeding gums, bad breath, lots of saliva in the mouth, and feeling ill. Ulcers may form on the gums at the edge of the teeth.
What is the color of the gums?
The gums are tough tissues that surround and hold the teeth in place. They can range in color from red or pink to brown or black.
What is the genetic condition that causes dark brown freckles?
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a genetic condition that can increase the risk of developing polyps or cancer. One of the early symptoms is the appearance of dark blue or dark brown freckles. These can appear in the mouth as well as on the skin of the fingers and toes.
Which cells in the body make melanin?
Specialized cells in the body called melanocytes make melanin. The nicotine in tobacco can cause melanocytes to produce more melanin than usual.
What can cause black gums?
If you have dark or pigmented areas in your mouth, it doesn’t always mean they aren’t healthy or that they require treatment.
What are the dark spots on my gums?
Advanced stages of periodontal disease. Once gum disease has progressed you may begin to notice dark spots appearing on your upper and lower gums. If the periodontal disease has reached this point you may also be experiencing issues with your teeth.
Why do my teeth get red?
The tissue between the teeth may also appear red and inflamed. Dental pain may also be a side effect of this condition. Poor oral hygiene can be responsible for ANUG and smoking can also be a factor. Compromised immune systems may also factor in to your risk of developing ANUG.
What is the name of the disorder that causes dark spots on the face?
Peutz Jeghers syndrome. While uncommon, Peutz Jeghers syndrome is a genetic disorder that can affect the pigmentation of gum tissue. Dark spots begin to appear on the face, as well as inside the mouth. This is typically diagnosed in early childhood when dark freckles first begin to erupt around the eyes, nose and lips.
What color is an amalgam tattoo?
Amalgam tattoos occur when silver filling material is incorporated into healthy gum tissue and oxidizes into a deep blue black colored area.
What causes dark spots in mouth?
Oral cancer, also known as malignant melanoma, can cause dark patches to appear in the mouth. Other symptoms can include cracked or bleeding mucosa. The use of tobacco products can increase your risk of oral cancer. If oral cancer is a suspected you may need to undergo a biopsy to confirm or rule out cancer.
How does Addison's disease affect the color of the skin?
This is because Addison’s disease affects the production of certain hormones, specifically the hormones released from your adrenal glands.
Why do my gums turn black?
It is normally found in people with dark brown skin. 5. Hardened plaque. Hardened plaque, oral debris, or tartar could hardly stick to the gum line or teeth until the gums turn to dark brown or black.
What to do if you have black spots on your gums?
Do you recognize dark spots on gums and between your teeth? If you are noticing stubborn and enduring black spots on gums near the tooth , consult your dental practitioner immediately to treat your gums.
What happens if you push a toothbrush hard?
Pushing toothbrushes so hard on the gum line can cause injuries. 2. Malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma is a severe skin disease. It is often considered as skin cancer that tends to form annoying dark brown and black spots on the skin and the gum line too.
How to keep your gums healthy?
Brush your teeth twice a day. Proper dental or oral hygiene is one of the best activities you can do to keep your gums and teeth healthy. Always brush your teeth properly before cleaning to ensure that you are not using a rough toothbrush or mouthwash that could affect your gum line severely.
What is the term for discoloration of gum line?
3. Amalgam filling. An amalgam filling is a discoloration in the gum line that is an outcome of particles from silver filling embedding inside the tissues of the gum line. An amalgam filling is also known as focal argyrosis or localized argyrosis. Mostly these stubborn spots turn brown, grey, black, and blue. 4.
How to stop gums from rooting?
After meals, brushing your teeth can be a great way to stop hard plaques from rooting under the gum line.
What causes a dark spot on the tongue?
Regular consultation with dentists and brushing can assist you in preventing this problem from happening. 6. Bruises. Bruises on the gum line as a result of an injury or trauma can occur as a dark brown spot on the tongue as well as on the gums. Most of the people have noticed bruises with little pain once in a lifetime.
Why are There Black Spots on my Cat’s Gums?
The main reason there are black spots on your cats bums is because of lentigo or melanoma.
Why does my cat have black spots in his mouth?
Your cat might also develop black spots in and around their mouth if they are dehydrated.
Breeds That Commonly Have Black Coloration Within the Mouth
If your dog has black spots in their mouth and you don’t see his breed on the list, it is still likely down to lineage.
Related Questions
Here are other spot-related questions that you might find interesting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, black spots on your dog’s gums may be more common than you think, and are likely the result of pigmentation.
Why Do Dogs Have Black Spots on Their Gums?
There are certain dog breeds that normally experience higher levels of pigmentation in their mouths, and this can cause their gums to have black spots. However, it can also be a sign of other oral issues, but this is typically not very common.
What is the black line on my dog's gums?
Gingivitis is a type of periodontal disease. One of the symptoms of gingivitis in dogs is a black line around the dog’s gums above the teeth, as well as general inflammation and swelling in the gum area.
What Causes Black Spots in a Dog’s Mouth?
You might also be wondering what causes these spots in your dog’s mouth, and the reason for it is actually that there is heavy pigmentation in this area. These darker spots occur due to melanin, which can be found in your dog’s mouth. They are simply random spots of extra pigmentation, and this can happen to many breeds.
When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet for Black Spots on the Gums?
Anytime that you notice a change in your dog, it is always a good idea to talk to a veterinarian to make sure that you don’t have anything to worry about. This way, if it does turn out to be something serious, you will catch it early. If they have had the spots since birth, it is unlikely that your dog has an underlying problem, but if you are ever in doubt, contact a vet for advice. It is especially important to go to a vet if the black spots on the gums are:
Why is my dog's mouth black?
A simpler explanation for these black marks or spots in the mouth could be due to the fact that your dog has gotten hold of and chewed on a source of ink , like a pen. If the gums look stained , or you notice any residue on the teeth, then it is worth checking for the source of the chewed item. It could be ink stains that you are seeing inside your dog’s mouth, and this will stay for a while.
What are the black spots on my dog's tongue?
More often than not, these black spots are simply microscopic granules of melanin, and they will be flat areas on your dog’s gums, on their tongue, and the inside of their lips and mouth. This pigmentation is usually genetic, and is determined by the genes that your dog carries.
Why do dogs' gums look bluish?
If you notice that your dog’s gums have a bluish tinge to them, it could be an indication of cyanosis, which can happen when not enough oxygen is getting into the mucus membrane.
Why do dogs have black gums?
Some dogs have naturally black gums or black spotting in their mouths due to pigmentation differences. German Shepherds and Pit Bulls are two examples. Other dogs, like the Chow Chow and the Pyrenean mountain dog, have black roofs to their mouths, also due to natural pigmentation differences. In this article will list 23 dog breeds ...
Why is my dog's gum dark?
Most dogs have naturally light pink gums, and in those cases, a dark coloration can be a sign of severe heart or lung problems. However, some dogs have naturally dark gums and, in many cases, where you see black in their mouth it’s not a concern.
What dog breed has black gums?
Dog Breeds with black gums. 1. Labrador Retriever. Top of the dogs breeds with black gums is this mid-sized to large dog is lovable and sweet, a great dog for kids, and the most popular dog breed in America. They are friendly and energetic and are friendly to strangers as well as to their owners.
What dog breeds have a black roof of mouth?
Chow Chow: The Chow Chow is one of few breeds with an entirely black mouth, including not just black gums, but also a dark blue to black tongue and a black roof of the mouth.
