Our gums don’t only play an important role in the stability and retention of our teeth, they also contribute to the overall appearance of our smile. when we think of healthy and attractive teeth, we most often think of clean, consistently pink gums. However, while mid-pink gums might be the most desirable, we aren’t all fortunate enough to be blessed with this feature. While it isn’t at all that unusual for gum color to vary a little between different people, significant color changes and areas of darker pigmentation can be a sign of an underlying health or dental problem that requires professional intervention.

Gingival pigmentation, also known as gum pigmentation, is a condition that is characterized by the development of light or dark brown spots on the gums and oral mucosa. 
 

Causes of gingival pigmentation

There are a variety of reasons why someone might develop gingival pigmentation. Some of the most common include the following:

Melanin. For example, the more melanin a person has in their body, the darker their hair, skin and eye color may be. High levels of melanin can also cause a person to have naturally darker gums than usual.

Smoking. Smoking is one of the leading causes of gum discoloration and occurs because the nicotine found in tobacco causes cells within the body to make more melanin than normal. Smoking also causes discoloration of the teeth.

Medication side effects. Most medications have some side effects. Some types of medication are known to cause pigmentation and discoloration of body tissues including those in the gum.

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. This serious gum infection can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms including bad breath, fever and painful gums. A layer of dead tissue that is black or grey can build up over areas of the gum, causing discoloration. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, or trench mouth as it is commonly known, is usually a result of excessive bacteria in the mouth caused by periodontal disease.

Treatment for gingival pigmentation

The treatment that will be recommended to you will depend on the cause of your gingival pigmentation and will be discussed with you by your periodontal dentist in Denver, CO.

If your gum discoloration is believed to be caused by smoking, giving up the tobacco could make a significant improvement to their color. In fact, studies have found that quitting smoking isn’t only good for your general health, but it is also extremely beneficial for your dental health too. Patients who don’t smoke are less likely to suffer from gum disease and many other associated problems.

If your pigmentation is a result of an infection, treatment to deal with this will be provided. This could involve antibiotics, a professional dental clean and medicated mouthwash to eradicate all of the bacteria. You will also be given advice on the best way to keep periodontal disease at bay.

Maintaining great oral hygiene is one of the best ways to ensure that your gums remain healthy and attractive. For more advice on this depigmentation, speak to your dental professional in Denver at Barotz Dental by calling 720-573-1500.