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What Causes Black Gums? Understanding the Signs and Treatments

What Causes Black Gums

A type of gum pigmentation called “black gums” can be concerning for those who suddenly get it. Those cases may indicate another medical problem. However, for some, black gums can be a normal pigmentation in their skin.

Those who have always had darker gums shouldn’t worry about them. Those cases are likely not an indication something is wrong. People who should have concerns are those where the color changes suddenly. That could indicate a problem.

Black Gums Aren’t Always Black

When people think of black gums, they refer to gums that are darker than normal. That doesn’t mean they are truly black. This condition comes in various colors including a bluish hue, red, purple, and brown. It all refers to the same condition.

Black Gum Causes

Black gums can have many causes ranging from simple to serious. Smoking, dental procedures, and medications are some of the more common causes while cancer is at the other end of the spectrum.

Smoking

Smoking can cause many oral health issues and smoker’s melanosis is one. The area is a flat black or brown spot on the gums. Statistics show that 22% of smokers have this condition.

Those who smoke more are at a greater risk for smoker’s melanosis. It is benign but your doctor should do a biopsy to rule out cancer.

Dental Procedures

Those who still have the silver amalgam dental fillings may develop black gums. Dentists call this an amalgam tattoo because the filling material goes into the gums. That turns the area into a blue or black area. This is typically near the tooth where the dental work was done.

Medication Side Effects

Medications come with side effects and one of those could be gum discoloration. Some of the medications that cause this problem are chloroquine, quinine, minocycline, zidovudine, chlorpromazine, ketoconazole, bleomycin, and cyclophosphamide. These medications include those that treat malaria, parasites, infections, psychosis, fungi, and the last two (bleomycin and cyclophosphamide) are chemotherapy drugs.

Serious Underlying Causes

Three serious illnesses can be underlying causes of black gums. Addison’s disease is rare but is listed as a cause. This occurs when the adrenal gland doesn’t function correctly, failing to produce adequate supplies of cortisol and aldosterone.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is also a rare genetic condition. It is when the gastrointestinal tract has benign growths.

Skin cancer in the mouth, called oral malignant melanoma, is another rare disease that can cause black gums. It only affects .3% to 8% of U.S. melanoma patients. This condition comes with other symptoms like a change of shape and color of the patches. They could swell or bleed.

Dark Patches

One of the most common reasons a mouth appeared darker is because it had dark patches on the gums. This amounts to 86% of dark lesions in the mouth. The dark patches, called melanotic macules, are benign and flat.

Even though they are benign, these dark spots look similar to other more harmful conditions so it’s best to talk to your dentist or doctor and get a biopsy to rule out cancer.

Diagnosing Black Gums

Your dentist is the best person to diagnose black gums since the evaluation includes a full dental history, medical history, an oral exam, and a closer look at the spots.

Dentists and oral surgeons are also the ones who have treatments for black gums diagnosed as benign. Treatments include tissue surgery, laser treatments, chemical treatments, and gingival grafts. Other treatments are available but the ones offered depend on your dental office.

Generally, black gums aren’t a signal of a serious medical condition but should be evaluated by a dentist. Those who are concerned can seek treatment. Our staff understands your concerns about this condition and are ready to answer your questions. Contact us to make an appointment.

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