Are darker gums healthier?

Healthy gum tissue isn't always pink. Just like skin color, gum color varies between different people. A study published by the Future Dental Journal explains that healthy gums range from light to dark brown or even black.

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Is it better to have light or dark gums?

Pink, red, pale, or even a bloody red – the color of your gums can tell the condition of your oral health. But generally, dentists at Icon Dental Center, Everett, and Seattle say that light to dark pink gums are the healthiest, whereas, the red color may mean your gums are sensitive or inflamed.

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Are dark gums healthy?

You may have naturally dark gums because your body produces more melanin. If you were born with darker gums, it's perfectly normal for your body and there's no reason for concern.

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What color should your gums be to be healthy?

The color of healthy gums can vary depending on an individual's ethnicity or race, but they typically should be pink. For example, people with darker skin may have gums that appear reddish. Close to the gum line, gums may have a slight pale hue.

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What color is best for gums?

Healthy gums should look a pinkish color and be firm. This is likely a good sign that your oral care routine is working. However, if your gums are anything other than pink in color and firm, it's time to consult with a dental professional.

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Why Some People Have Black Gums

32 related questions found

Why are my gums dark?

The more melanin people have in their bodies, the darker their skin and hair will be. Dark brown or black gums may be due to a person having more melanin in the body. If a person's gums have always been dark, there is no cause for concern.

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Does the color of your gums matter?

Pink gums which are firm are usually healthy. The same is true of brown gums. Usually hereditary, pink gums and brown to black gums with regular texture are (with exceptions for sudden changes due to health conditions) healthy. Red gums are a red flag and signal infection or inflammation.

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How do unhealthy gums look?

Red or swollen gums

Healthy gums should be pink and firm to the touch, but in the early stages of unhealthy gums or a worse gum disease (known as gingivitis), they can become red, swollen or, even painful.

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What are signs of unhealthy gums?

Unhealthy gums are often inflamed and red in color. However, gingivitis can also cause whitish gums, as can other underlying health conditions. Underlying conditions include anemia, oral candidiasis, oral cancer, leukoplakia, recent teeth whitening, or tooth extraction.

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What do anemic gums look like?

Anemia can cause your gums to be pale, which some have labeled "anemia gums." Instead of a typical, healthy pink, the gums take on a faded or whiter shade of their standard color. This paleness can also impact the tongue and mucous membranes inside your mouth.

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Does dark gums mean unhealthy?

Black gums can be a normal pigmentation for people with dark skin tones. However, black gums or black patches on your gums that are new may indicate a health concern. Conditions that cause black gums include melanotic macules, smoking, amalgam tattoos, medications, certain (systemic) diseases, and cancer.

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Do some people naturally have dark gums?

Having dark or black gums is, fortunately, considered completely natural for people who have more melanin in their skin. If you're someone who has speckled, spotted, or dark gums, you might feel a little self-conscious about the unique skin that frame your teeth.

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Are black gums beautiful?

Because in Senegal, in Africa, black gums are a sign of beauty. But in this country, it's not, it's really… It's perceived as unattractive. To find a dentist near you that can help determine if your black gums are normal or the sign of trouble, visit Silverhill Dental clinic.

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Do gums darken with age?

People may notice that their gums change from a bright or even a pale pink color, to a dark pink, red, or even brown color. This can be a totally natural change as people age, or it can also be a symptom of a bigger problem.

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Can dark gums be lightened?

About Gum Bleaching

Some darker skinned individuals are not happy with the dark color of their gums. Fortunately, laser technology allows us to lighten the gum tissue safely and non-invasively, making darker gums or what some people call "black gums", lighter and more acceptable to them.

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How should healthy gums look?

Healthy gums are pink (or light brown if you are darker-skinned), firm, and do not bleed when you brush or floss. The gums fit snugly around the teeth on all sides to help protect the underlying bone.

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Can you have healthy gums but bad teeth?

Yes, absolutely! Rotten teeth, healthy gums! Bacteria cause almost all the problems we see in patient's mouths – except for trauma and muscle issues.

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Can unhealthy gums become healthy again?

The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back.

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How can I make my gums healthy again?

7 ways to keep the gums healthy
  1. Brush the teeth properly. Share on Pinterest Brushing the teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste can help keep gums healthy. ...
  2. Choose the right toothpaste. ...
  3. Floss daily. ...
  4. Rinse your mouth out with care. ...
  5. Use mouthwash. ...
  6. Get regular dental checkups. ...
  7. Stop smoking.

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What color should your gums not be?

Healthy gums are light pink in colour, and appear turgid and without any bleeding. Whitish or dark colourations, or even bleeding, or the presence of or the presence of purplish gums are a symptom of disease or infection.

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What does a gingivitis look like?

Gingivitis can cause dusky red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, especially when you brush your teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fitted tightly around the teeth. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums.

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Are dark gums unattractive?

Unfortunately, dark gums or gums that have patches of different colors on them can look unattractive even when the issues do not link to poor oral health. This may bring a host of negative impacts to your life, with some examples being: Reduced confidence and increased anxiety in social situations.

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Why aren't my gums pink anymore?

What causes pale gums? Pale gums may indicate that a person has anemia, which is often the result of an iron deficiency. However, if the gums are white or painful, the cause may be more serious. Healthy gums should be a relatively consistent shade of pink.

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