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Growing older often causes us to pick up more behavioral tendencies while adding some more elements to (or even taking away from) the ones we already have.
Whether it’s being more conscious about your taxes or that you’re already thinking about paying for your kids’ college payments, aging brings a lot more concerns to mind. Over time, however, nothing will be as active as your tendency to become more conscious of how you look since the experience of growing old causes a few less-than-desirable changes.
Beyond having a slower metabolism or seeing signs of baby wrinkles on your forehead, there are some changes that you may not have noticed up until recently—one of which is your gums being dark.
A growing dental concern
By textbook definition, gums tend to be pinkish in color with the expectation of only deviating to a reddish tint whenever irritation or inflammation occurs. Considering that most people have this expectation in mind, seeing your own gum tissue not have the same color you usually expect it to have is an understandable concern. However, having gums that are darker than usual isn’t as much of a drastic concern as you think it is.
Explaining gum color variations in further detail
When you begin to notice that your gums are darker than usual or start to develop dark spots all over them, you might think that you’re dealing with a major problem that may need some intensive treatment. However, this issue doesn’t mean anything serious, as having darker gums often is a matter of natural and genetic variations above all else.
What causes gum discoloration?
Similar to our hair, eyes, facial features, height, shoe sizes, and eyebrows, our gums are a unique part of our bodies that experience variation to a certain degree. To help you understand why your gums are darker than you’ve always expected them to be, here’s a list of causes of gum discoloration that will provide you with the answers you’ve been looking for:
Reason #1: Your body has a higher level of melanin production
If you were born with dark gums or have had them for virtually almost all of your life, the chances are that it’s because your body produces more melanin than the average model from a dentistry book diagram. Similar to its effect on your skin color, this natural pigment that is also known to cause gums to darken renders the same effect on one’s eyes and hair!
Reason #2: Your gums have an amalgam tattoo on them
Another common reason people end up having darker gums is that they have an amalgam that ended up getting caught under their gums. Typically commonplace among those who have had fillings or crown treatments, this particular cause can cause certain spots in the gums to turn blue, grey, or black—but it isn’t necessarily harmful!
Reason #3: You’re a smoker
Black gums that have formed only in adult years and not from birth or dental treatment effects are mostly synonymous with smoking because of how the latter causes the former through the process of melanosis. When you smoke, the chemicals you inhale end up triggering your body to produce more melanin as an effect, which leads to darker gums and darker lips and inner cheeks!
However, it’s worth noting that some cases of gum discoloration aren’t a matter of genetics but more of growing problems that need to be addressed. If you suspect your gums aren’t dark because of the reasons in this list, then be sure to consult with Dental House MI’s experts today!
Conclusion
Although it may be troublesome to deal with the various changes going on in your body as you grow more aware of them, the one thing you shouldn’t worry about is having darker gums. Unless the darkness of your tissue suddenly came up out of nowhere, then it’s best to assume that seeing your gums being darker isn’t a cause for concern. Yet, it helps to pay your dentist a visit for assurance!
Dental House employs specialists in wisdom teeth removal, teeth whitening, dental spa treatments, and Invisalign work. If you are looking for an affordable dentist in Waterford, MI, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!
