What does your gum color say about your oral health?

Maybe you did not know, but the color of our gums can tell a lot about our health. When we smile, we not only show our teeth but also our gums.

However, we are much more concerned with the color of our teeth and generally pay little attention to the color of our gums. But our gums can give us many clues about our health.

Today, we teach you how to identify these abnormal tones and provide clues to their possible causes. If you notice an abnormality in the color of your gums, we recommend you see your dentist, who will be your ally.

Coral Pink Gum

Let's start looking at healthy gum color, and here's the excellent news: Healthy gums are light pink or coral. If your skin is dark, brown is the natural shade of your gums, and it will be a sign of health.

Also, if your gums have a texture like orange peel and do not bleed or bother you, you have healthy gums. Keep taking care of them.

Gums that are whitish, red, or purple can signify gum disease or another infection.

Red Gum

When the gums look red, it is a sign of inflammation; usually, there may also be bleeding when brushing. The most common cause is the accumulation of plaque and tartar around the teeth or under the gums. In this case, the most common gum disease is usually gingivitis, which is reversible in the initial stages.

However, redness can be due to periodontitis if the previous condition worsens over time and is not treated. Periodontitis can lead to bone loss and later tooth loss. In this case, the treatment is more specific.

Purple Gum

This color indicates gum disease, with bacteria present beneath the gum line. This causes the so-called "periodontal pockets" and indicates periodontitis, including loss of bone that holds the teeth and tooth loss.

In this case, the periodontist (gum specialist dentist) must examine the patient to assess the extent of disease involvement. Sometimes an X-ray is necessary to see tartar or calculus below the gum line.

Grey Gums

Grayish gums signify that the patient's immune system is weakened by smoking or stress. This tone is usually associated with a bacterial infection that requires immediate treatment to prevent further complications.

White Gum

The white color on the gum's surface is due to peeling of the overlying epithelium. The cause could be candidiasis, autoimmune diseases, desquamative gingivitis, or superficial necrotizing diseases such as Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (GUNA).

A periodontist must evaluate the causes and determine the type of treatment. Some less frequent causes of a whitish change in gum color are herpes, canker sores or biting ulcers, leukoplakia, and precancerous lesions.

Dark or Brown-Colored Gums

If your skin is dark, the brown color of your gums is your skin's natural tone and is a sign of health.

Another reason lies in the nicotine in tobacco, which can cause a general darkening of the gums and favors the appearance of various pathologies. Also, the consumption of certain medications, such as oral contraceptives or tricyclic antidepressants, can darken the gums.

Always check its texture and pay attention to the edges around the teeth to ensure no color change. Sometimes, even with a natural gum color, we can detect problems by paying attention and with a professional review.

As we have seen, a change in the color of the gums can be a symptom of diseases that go beyond purely oral. This is why we recommend that if you detect any change in your color, you let a professional check it.