A toothbrush is supposed to help you achieve a clean mouth. While that’s true, your gums have some enemies that prevent them from becoming healthy and whitened.
Gums are dark because they are full of colorless blood. Now, if you have ever gone to the dentist and had dark gums checked, you would have known that.
Well, there are several reasons why your gums are dark. Here are four common reasons.
1. Smoking
One of the primary causes of gum disease is smoking. Inflammation of the gums, known as gum disease, may result in tooth loss.
- Smoking makes you more prone to gum disease because it decreases the blood flow to your gums.
- This can make it more difficult for your body to fight off infection. Smoking also increases the amount of plaque and tartar on your teeth, which can further damage your gums.
- If you smoke, you are more likely to develop gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. Smoking makes you more susceptible to gum disease because it decreases the blood flow to your gums.
- This can make it more difficult for your body to fight off infection. Smoking also increases the amount of plaque and tartar on your teeth, which can further damage your gums.
2. Genetics
Genetics can affect the darkness of your gums in a few different ways:
- One way is through the pigmentation of your gums. If your gums are darker, it could be because they have more pigment.
- This can be due to a genetic predisposition or a result of certain medications or illnesses. Another way that genetics can affect the darkness of your gums is through the thickness of your gums.
- If your gums are thicker, they will appear darker. This is because the denser gum tissue absorbs more light.
- Finally, the shape of your gums can also affect their darkness. If your gums are more rounded, they will appear darker than if they are flatter. This is because the light cannot reflect off the spherical surface.
3. Medications
If your gums are dark, it could be due to several different medications you are taking. Here are three possible medication effects that could be causing your gums to appear dark:
- Antibiotics – A common side effect of antibiotics is tooth staining. This is because the medication can change how your body produces saliva, leading to a build-up of pigment on your teeth.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs – These types of medications can cause your gums to appear darker because they can cause the blood vessels in your gums to dilate.
- Calcium channel blockers – These medications are used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. They work by relaxing the blood vessels, which can also cause the gums to appear darker.
4. Pregnancy Hormones
Your gums may be dark for several reasons, but one common reason is pregnancy. That’s because, during pregnancy, your body produces more estrogen and progesterone hormones.
- These hormones can cause your gums to swell and bleed more easily, leading to darkness.
- In addition, the increased blood flow during pregnancy can also make your gums appear darker.
- If you’re pregnant and notice that your gums are darker, you should see your dentist or healthcare provider to ensure everything is okay.
- They can check for any other causes of gum darkness and ensure your gums are healthy.
There you have it. Dark gums can happen for several reasons, and you can avoid them for most reasons. But if you have a genetic problem, you may face difficulties whitening your dark gums.
