Gum Color:
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, affects far more people than you might think.
Many people with periodontal disease are unaware that they have it. One of the most common reasons for a patient to visit a gum specialist is pain. However, there are numerous warning signs that will allow you to treat periodontal disease before you experience pain!
Gum colour, believe it or not, can reveal a lot about the health of your gums.
Continue reading to learn what your gum colour means and when you should see a gum specialist.
Aside from Pink Gum Color
Pink is a good gum colour in general.
When your gums are light or even dark pink and firm, it means you’ve been taking care of them by brushing and flossing every day.
Unfortunately, almost any colour other than pink indicates that your gums are not in good health. When your gums are unhealthy, your health may suffer as well.
Of course, we all know that gum disease can lead to tooth problems (and vice versa). But did you know that gum disease is linked to a variety of other illnesses?
Many people with gum disease, for example, also have heart disease, which could be caused by inflammation or bacteria. Gum disease has also been linked to certain types of cancer, lung disease, and erectile dysfunction.
RED GUMS:
- Periodontal disease patients frequently have red gums. Under pressure, redness is usually accompanied by swelling, tenderness, and bleeding.
- In other words, if your gums bleed when you floss, don’t ignore it!
- Red gums are usually an indication of an infection that can be treated with a simple procedure.
- Your current oral health routine may not be removing all of the plaque from your gumline. The sooner you act, the less likely it is that your gum problems will progress to something more serious.
WHITE OR PALE GUMS:
- If your gums are white or a light, filmy colour, you have an infection that was not caused solely by plaque. This colour denotes either a fungal or a viral infection.
- In this case, your gum specialist may advise you to consult with a general practitioner as well.
- You may require medication to assist your body in combating the infection that has spread to your mouth.
BLACK GUMS:
- You are probably fine if your gums have always been very dark in colour.
- Some people have dark, even black, gums because their bodies produce a lot of melanin.
- If your gums gradually or suddenly turned black from a lighter colour, To determine what is causing this problem, you must examine your own medical history.
- Tobacco use, as well as prescription medication, could be the cause of black gums.
BROWN GUMS:
- Brown gums, like lifelong black gums, tend to reflect the amount of melanin your body naturally produces.
- This is most likely natural and does not indicate any health problems.
YELLOW GUMS:
- If your gums appear to have a yellowish tint, you most likely have gingivitis.
- Gingivitis is a type of periodontal disease caused by plaque buildup that is easily treated.
- If you have a yellow spot or a concentrated area on your gums, it could be an ulcer. Ulcers are caused by a loss of surface tissue and can be extremely painful.
- Most ulcers will heal on their own, but to be on the safe side, you should see an oral hygienist.
GREY GUMS:
- You may weaken your immune system if your gums appear grey or have a grey-coloured film on the surface.
- This weakened immune system is directly caused by bacterial growth, but the causes of bacterial growth vary.
- Smoking is frequently associated with grey gums. Smoking weakens your immune system and makes it more difficult to remove the bacteria that cause periodontal disease from your gums and teeth.
- Even high levels of stress can weaken the immune system.
- Stress hormones impair the immune system’s ability to fight bacterial infections. In this case, the bacteria that is growing in your mouth may cause more harm to the rest of your body because it spreads more effectively.
If you’re concerned about the colour of your gums, make an appointment with us. Even if your gums appear healthy, it’s worth a visit just in case something is sneaking up on you!
