Why are black people's gums brown?

Melanin, the dark pigment that gives skin its color, is also present in gum tissue. This pigment naturally darkens the gums. The Future Dental Journal reports that melanin pigmentation is common among people of African, Asian and Mediterranean ancestry.

Is it normal for black people to have brown gums?

While most people have pink gums, healthy gums can actually come in a variety of shades, some quite light pink, and some darker, more toward brown or even black. As you might image, darker coloured gums are more common in individuals with darker skin tones.

What causes dark gums in black people?

An excess of melanin (the stuff that makes your skin darker) in the body is typically what causes black gums. People with darker skin are much more likely to have black gums because they naturally have more melanin in their bodies.

Why are my gums turning brown?

Brown: If you have a darker skin tone this could be your natural gum colour. Dark gums could also be the case if you've been in the sun a lot recently as sun exposure can cause melanin in the gums to darken. Check on their texture and keep an eye on the edges around your teeth for colour change.

What nationality has dark gums?

Now in the gums, it's very race specific so you could be Asian, Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean, African, and you're prone to this hyper pigmentation. This increased production of melanin.

Why Some People Have Black Gums

What color are black people's gums?

It depends on genetics and the way melanin naturally disperses in the body. Some people with very dark complexions have perfectly pink gums. Still, a lot of people who have darker complexions do have it but they don't necessarily know that there's an easy way to “pinken” them.

Why do smokers have black gums?

This is known as smoker's melanosis. Specialized cells in the body called melanocytes make melanin. The nicotine in tobacco can cause melanocytes to produce more melanin than usual. Gums may become more brown or black.

How do I make my brown gums pink?

What colour are healthy gums?

Healthy gums should look pink and firm, not red and swollen. To keep gums healthy, practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day, see your dentist regularly, and avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.

How did soldiers get trench mouth?

Although the disease was documented as early as the 4th century B.C., the term “trench mouth” came into use during World War I when soldiers in battlefield trenches suffered from poor oral hygiene, intense psychological stress, and poor diet, leading them to develop severe infections of the gums.

Are black gums natural?

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.

Why are my child's gums brown?

Most cases of dark gums in children are due to a preponderance of melanin in the body. Melanin production is determined by heredity and is the reason for different hair and skin colors. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin, hair, and potentially gums will be.

Why are black people's hair texture different?

In fact, African hair actually produces more oils than Caucasian and Asian hair. However, due to the tight curls, the oil doesn't spread evenly along the hair fiber. Without lubrication, the fibers can become dry. This causes the strands to become more brittle, which contributes to the hair's texture.

What do healthy gums look like vs unhealthy?

If you have healthy gums, they will look firm and pink. Some signs of unhealthy gums include redness and swelling, gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, and gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth.

Can the dentist make your gums pink again?

Laser Gum Depigmentation vaporizes and removes a thin top layer of the gum tissue, destroying the cells that produce melanin. As new tissue is created during healing, it tends to be pink rather than brown. The treatment may require a local anesthetic injection and has a short recovery time with manageable discomfort.

What black gums mean?

Sometimes, black gums can be a sign of something more serious. A black spot on the gums could be a type of oral cancer known as malignant melanoma. If you notice this type of lesion, see your dentist. The Oral Cancer Foundation explains that oral malignant melanomas are diagnosed with a tissue biopsy.

What does massaging your gums do?

When performed properly, gum massage increases blood flow to your gum tissue. This increase in blood flow leads to the circulation of even more nutrient-rich blood to gum tissue to help fight gum disease and improve overall gum health. Blood is filled with oxygen.

Are dark pink gums healthy?

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.

What does a smoker's tongue look like?

Black Hairy Tongue

With tobacco use the overgrown papillae can trap pigment from the tobacco and take on a black appearance. This condition has no symptoms; however, it may be a concern due to the appearance and the frequent unpleasant mouth odor from the trapping of particles in the tongue.

What does a smoker's mouth look like?

Smoker's lips are characterized by vertical wrinkles around the mouth. The lips and gums may also become significantly darker than their natural shade (hyperpigmentation). Smoker's lips can begin to occur after months or years of smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products.

How can I whiten my gums?

Gum whitening or gum lightening can be done using a whitening solution along with a microdermabrasion process, or with a laser. Microdermabrasion is the more traditional method and usually takes less than an hour to complete.

What drug turns teeth black?

Boca Recovery Center – Florida. Per the Journal of American Dental Association, Meth mouth is characterized by severe tooth decay and gum disease, which often causes teeth to fall out or break. The teeth of chronic Meth abusers are often blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling, and falling apart.

What was trench mouth?

Trench mouth is an infection that causes swelling (inflammation) and ulcers in the gums (gingivae). The term trench mouth comes from World War I, when this infection was common among soldiers "in the trenches." The appearance of normal teeth varies, especially the molars.

Why are my teeth yellow?

Teeth ultimately turn yellow as you get older, when enamel wears away from chewing and exposure to acids from food and drink. Most teeth turn yellow as this enamel thins with age, but some take on a grayish shade when mixed with a lasting food stain.