Gum color change, especially sudden and unexpected changes, can indicate health problems that require immediate attention. In most cases, the cause of gum color change to red, black or unusual colors is one of the cases of infection, inflammation, taking some drugs and even bad habits like smoking. In this article, we will take a closer look at **the cause of gum color change**, its prevention methods and treatment solutions. With this information, you can take good care of your gums and identify warning signs; Stay with us. Reasons for gum color change In most people, healthy and normal gums are light pink, uniform in color, firm and without inflammation. Of course, the natural color of the gums depends on various factors such as race and genetics. For example, the color of the gums is pale pink in people with light skin and dark and brown in people with green skin. The most common causes of gum discoloration are: - Smoking and tobacco use - Gum diseases (gingivitis) - Melanin - Fungal infections - Taking some medications - Lack of vitamins - Leukoplakia - Amalgam mole Addison's disease - Anemia If the color of your gums has been constant from childhood to adulthood (light pink or dark and brown), you don't need to worry about anything. If the color of the gums changes, or spots with a different color appear on it, you should visit the dentist as soon as possible to identify the cause of the color change. ### Smoking One of the causes of gum discoloration is smoking, which is called smoker's melanosis. Nicotine causes melanocyte cells to produce more melanin than usual, which results in the gums becoming brown or black. This discoloration may appear as limited spots or affect the entire mouth including the inside of the cheeks and lower lip. Research results show that if you quit smoking, melanosis discoloration disappears. In fact, dark spots on the gums caused by smoking are reversible. (source) ### gum disease One of the gum diseases that manifests itself in the early stages by lightening the color of the gums is gingivitis, which is also known as trench mouth syndrome. This type of gum infection occurs due to neglect of oral and dental hygiene, stress, lack of sleep or unhealthy diet, and causes the gums to turn white in the early stages. As the disease progresses, black or gray spots appear on the gums and wounds on the edges of the teeth. As gingivitis progresses, the gums will weaken and the teeth will become loose, and you may even lose your tooth. Therefore, it is recommended to go to the dentist after seeing white or dark spots on the gums, so that after the examination and accurate diagnosis, your treatment steps can begin. ### Melanin The color of people's gums is largely influenced by the type and amount of melanin in their body. If the color of a person's gums has been dark since childhood, there is no need to worry. But if the color change occurred suddenly and in a short period of time or dark and light spots appeared on the gums, it is probably not related to melanin and you should check other causes of gum color change. ### Accumulation of plaque and dental plaque Dental plaque is a sticky substance made of saliva, minerals and food residues that is placed on the teeth and removed by brushing. But in people who do not brush their teeth regularly, plaque accumulates and hardens in different spaces on the teeth, between them and the gum line, and causes dental plaque and tartar. Continuing this process causes dental plaque to penetrate below the gum line and affects the color of the gums. Therefore, in people who do not care about their oral hygiene, the accumulation of plaque and dental plaque is the main cause of gum swelling, discoloration and redness. ### fungal infections Another reason for discoloration and spots on the gums is oral fungal infection or thrush. Oral fungal infection appears in the form of white and cream-colored spots on the tongue and gums and is usually accompanied by pain and burning sensation. In more severe cases, the person has difficulty speaking and swallowing. Fungal infection of the gums can be seen at all ages, but it is more common in babies, the elderly, diabetics and those with a weak immune system. This disease is easily controlled and treated in the early stages by observing oral hygiene and taking medicine. ### use of certain drugs Every drug, along with its therapeutic and beneficial effects, may also cause unwanted side effects in some people. Among drugs such as minocycline, which are prescribed to treat acne and some infections, they have a complication called hyperpigmentation, which affects the production of melanin and pigments in the body. If this condition causes the color of the gums to darken, the person should inform his doctor and consult with him about changing medications. ### deficiency of vitamins Maybe you have a question, "What vitamin deficiency causes black gums?" The answer is **Vitamin C**. Vitamin C deficiency can cause black gums and problems such as bleeding and gum diseases. Vitamin C is essential for the health of soft tissues, including the gums, and its deficiency will lead to oral diseases. ### Leukoplakia Leukoplakia is an oral disease characterized by white or gray patches on the mucous membrane of the mouth, including the gums. These spots may appear as flat or raised areas and are usually not painful. Leukoplakia does not have a clear and specific reason, but it is more common in people who smoke, drink alcohol, or do not observe oral hygiene. In addition, things like chronic irritation (broken teeth or inappropriate prostheses) and viral infections play a role in the occurrence of this disease. In some cases, this discoloration is accompanied by inflammation or redness around the affected area. Leukoplakia spots are usually harmless, but there is a possibility of their becoming cancerous. Therefore, if you see symptoms of leukoplakia, it is better to visit a dentist for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. ### Amalgam mole Amalgam mole refers to the accumulation of dark pigments in the gum area or soft tissues of the mouth. These moles or stains are caused by exposure to the amalgam material used to fill the teeth. Amalgam is a combination of mercury, silver, tin and copper and can penetrate the surrounding tissues over time and cause **gum color change**. Penetration of the pigments in the amalgam into the gum tissue is not painful and has no specific symptoms, it only causes gray, black or blue dark spots in the gum tissue. If you are concerned about the discoloration of your gums, it is better to see a dentist or periodontist to make sure that these spots are not a form of oral cancer or malignant oral melanoma. ### Addison's disease Addison's disease is a rare disorder caused by the lack of hormones produced by the adrenal glands, which occurs due to damage to the adrenal glands caused by autoimmune disorders and infection. This disease can lead to the formation of dark spots on the gum tissue, mucous membranes and other parts of the body's skin, including knees, elbows and palms. ### Anemia The reason for the lightening of the gum color in some people is severe anemia. In fact, the color of the gums of these people becomes white and pale due to anemia. This happens due to the lack of red blood cells. What is the sign of each gum color? See the types of gum color and the cause of each color in the table below: Reasons of dark spots on the gums The most important reasons for the formation of dark and black spots on the gums are given in the table below. Methods to prevent gum discoloration In order to **prevent gum discoloration** and maintain the health of the mouth and teeth, always keep the following points in mind: - Take oral hygiene seriously. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. - Use dental floss or a special toothbrush to clean the spaces between the teeth. - Reduce the harmful bacteria in the mouth and maintain the health of the gums by using antiseptic mouthwashes. - Visit a dentist at least once every 6 months for a professional examination and cleaning. - Do not overdo the consumption of sweet and acidic foods. - Eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain gum health and supply the body with vitamin C. - Quit harmful habits such as smoking and tobacco use. - Keep chronic diseases such as diabetes under control. - Avoid excessive consumption of colored drinks. - Prevent the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth by drinking enough water and keeping the body hydrated. Gum discoloration treatment The following home and medical methods can be useful for treating gum discoloration and restoring the health of the gums and normalizing their color: - Brushing teeth and using antibacterial mouthwashes - Using baking soda and massaging it on the gums - Rubbing and massaging natural ingredients such as lemon juice, coconut oil and aloe vera gel on the gums. - Consuming a sufficient amount of vitamin C - Quit smoking - Appropriate treatment measures to eliminate inflammation, infection and gum diseases - Treatment of underlying diseases - Professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar - Gum surgery to correct the color and shape of dark and uneven gums - Laser therapy to remove dark pigments from the gums - Chemical bleaching of the gums using whitening gels containing hydrogen peroxide to lighten the gums. - Microdermabrasion or gum surface exfoliation to remove brown spots and light darkness Common questions In this section to