Everyone knows that a healthy gum color is pink. Thus, it can be quite surprising to discover a dark or black lesion on your gums. But should you be concerned? There may be numerous causes why you can suddenly have discoloration on the gums. Though some are just as usual and may clear up on their own, most are severe and will need medical attention. Now, let’s have a little more detail on what causes dark spots on gums and how they are treated.
1. Bruises
You need to know that just like any other body organ, your gums can be harmed too. Tripping and falling on your face or eating something with jagged edges will cause your gums to bruise, and so can brushing or flossing your teeth too aggressively. The common coloration of bruises on the gums is dark red or purple, although they can also be dark brown or black. You also feel some minor bleeding in addition to the formation of a bruise. You will feel some pain at the site of the bruise as well.
A bruise can often go away without any medical intervention, although this will depend on the severity of the case. If you begin experiencing more bruises, and you have no idea what could have led to it, then you could be suffering from thrombocytopenia. It is a condition in which you can have blood clots. These other symptoms include nose bleeding and bleeding gums. Several factors can influence thrombocytopenia; you should consult your physician to determine the most suitable treatment.
2. Oral Melanoma
Most of the time, black spots on gums are not serious, but some serious diseases, such as oral melanoma, need to be taken care of. Oral melanoma is a rare but very malignant cancer that might start as a black or dark-colored spot on the gums or cheek mucosa. It may start in any part of the mouth. In contrast to benign disorders, melanoma spreads rapidly, and it needs to be treated immediately.
3. Amalgam Tattoos
If you have ever had a cavity filled, you might notice a black dot on the gum. This is because amalgam is used to fill teeth, and some can still be left after a cavity filling.
Tooth fillings use amalgam, a particle. In some cases, these particles get trapped in the tissue surrounding the filling and create a stain in the soft tissue. Your doctor can often identify an amalgam spot simply by examining the skin.
Amalgam tattoos are not surgically erasable; however, they are non-toxic, and treatment is unnecessary. To avoid them, you should request a dentist to apply a rubber dam whenever you need a filling the next time you visit the dentist. This isolates your teeth from gum during a dental process to reduce the chances of particles reaching these regions.
4. Smoking
Habits such as smoking make the gums turn discolored, a condition known as smoker’s melanosis. Melanocytes, a unique type of body cell, produce a black pigment called melanin. Tobacco contains nicotine, which tends to stimulate melanocytes to synthesize more than the normal amount of melanin.
More gingival tissues can become brown or black. Changes in color can occur in patches or cover the entire inside of the mouth. Discoloration may also occur on the inside of the cheeks and the lower lip.
Smokers are likely to have gums with darker color as compared to non-smokers, and this may mean that these patches of color that develop due to smoking are likely to disappear.
5. Melanotic Macule
Melanotic macules are benign hypermelanotic lesions resembling freckles. They may be found in any area of the body, including gums. They are typically between 1-8mm in size.
Doctors remain unaware of the specific causes of melanotic macules. However, most children are born with them, but sometimes, people develop them during adulthood. They can be a sign of other diseases, such as Addison’s disease or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
Melanotic Macules Melanotic macules do not need treatment; hence, if you see that the spot has changed in shape, color, or size, your doctor may carry out a biopsy to check for cancer.
6. Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis or trench mouth is a gum disease. It brings fever, gum disease, and a persistent foul smell in the mouth. If a layer of dead tissue forms over the gums, an infection can lead to black or grey gums. Trench mouth originates from the rapid development of bacteria in the mouth, mainly from gingivitis.
These include poor hygiene, stress, lack of sleep, or an unhealthful diet that may lead to a buildup of bacteria in one’s mouth. Trench mouth signs and symptoms include mild inflammation, bright red-colored gums, chronic halitosis or bad breath, increased salivary output, and generalized body weakness. Affected dogs may develop ulcers to the gums at the edges of their teeth. Treatment is straightforward. A dentist will cleanse the mouth, and he may put the client on antibiotics. Mouth rinses with prescribed mouthwash and proper cleaning of the teeth and gums will discourage future infections.
7. Oral Cancer
Formerly, oral pigmented lesions may undergo malignant transformation from a benign lesion that may not need intervention to oral malignant melanoma, a type of oral cancer. Only when a doctor considers several aspects will he/ she be able to determine whether the lesion is melanoma. The Journal of Oral Medicine and Radiology clarifies that melanoma contributes to only 3-5% of cutaneous malignancies, and oral melanoma is a highly malignant tumor, contributing less than 0.5%.
If you think you have symptoms that might suggest you have oral cancer, then we advise that you do not self-diagnose and, instead, seek medical advice from your physician, like Smilepoint Dental, TX. They may carry out a biopsy if they notice symptoms of melanoma, whose laboratory results check your skin tissue.
Remember that cancer is one of the least common reasons for black spots. A more innocent explanation probably exists; therefore, the plug should not cause worry. Well done for educating yourself about possible causes – don’t miss the next step to a successful outcome: make an appointment to see your doctor or have routine check-ups.
Finishing It Up
Although black patches on your gums are normally benign, they can occasionally indicate oral cancer or children’s teething issues. Be sure to inform your physician of any new spots you observe on your gums. The spot should be checked for any changes in size, shape, or color, even if it is not malignant.
