Why are my gums black?

Common causes of black or dark spots on gums

Healthline's page on black gums describes seven causes, most harmless. It lists bruises from falls, sharp foods or hard brushing or flossing, which usually heal on their own; eruption hematoma, a blood-filled cyst over an erupting tooth that is most common in children; amalgam tattoo, filling particles lodged in gum tissue; blue nevus, a harmless mole; melanotic macule, a freckle-like spot sometimes linked to conditions such as Addison's disease; oral melanoacanthoma, a rare harmless spot possibly linked to friction injury; and oral cancer.

• Bruises: dark red, purple, brown or black, sometimes with minor bleeding or pain.
• Amalgam tattoo: usually painless, cannot be removed, harmless and needs no treatment.
• Blue nevus and melanotic macule: usually no treatment, though a biopsy may be done if the spot changes.
• Eruption hematoma: usually resolves once the tooth emerges.
• Oral cancer: a less common but serious cause, with tobacco and heavy alcohol use as the main risk factors.

Why does it matter if a spot is new or changing?

Because most dark spots are harmless but one cause is not, Healthline advises seeing a dentist or doctor for a new spot on the gums, a spot that is painful or changes in size, shape or color, frequent bruising with no clear cause, and any spot with symptoms of oral cancer such as open sores, unusual bleeding, mouth swelling, a chronic sore throat or voice changes. A dentist can examine the spot and decide whether monitoring, a biopsy or imaging is needed. Oral cancer is diagnosed by biopsy and imaging and treated according to how far it has spread.

Is dark gum color ever normal?

Some people have naturally darker gums, but the sources we read do not describe natural pigmentation, smoking-related darkening or medication-related changes, so we cannot say how to tell those from a problem. A dark area that has always been there is a good question for your next checkup, and anything new or changing should be seen promptly. Healthline's pale gums page notes that menopausal gingivostomatitis can make gums look paler or darker than usual.

Why are my gums itchy?

Healthline lists several causes of itchy gums: injury, grinding or vaping; plaque build-up and gingivitis, the mild first stage of gum disease; allergies to foods, medicines, pets or seasonal allergens; hormonal changes in pregnancy, puberty, menstruation or menopause; dry mouth from conditions or medicines that reduce saliva; and ill-fitting dentures or partials that trap food and bacteria.

It suggests brushing and flossing twice daily, using an alcohol-free antiseptic mouthwash, rinsing with salt water, antihistamines for allergy-related itching and professional plaque removal, and advises seeing a dentist if itching and other symptoms last three days without relief. Note that this Healthline page is from 2017.

What causes white spots on teeth?

Healthline's page on white spots on teeth says spots usually have more than one cause and a dentist can identify the specific one. It lists acidic foods and drinks and sugar that forms acidic plaque, which wear down enamel; fluorosis from too much fluoride in developing teeth; enamel hypoplasia, with less enamel than normal; plaque build-up from poor brushing or braces; and mouth breathing during sleep, which dries out enamel overnight and causes morning spots that fade once saliva rehydrates the teeth.

It says white spots may signal decay and should be evaluated. Treatments it lists include microabrasion, bleaching (not effective for fluorosis spots), veneers, remineralizing toothpaste and sleep aids to keep the mouth closed. The NHS says white, brown or black spots on a tooth can be a symptom of tooth decay.

White spots on gums versus white spots on teeth

The two are different. For white spots or patches on the gums, Healthline lists canker sores, oral thrush, lichen planus and leukoplakia, and the NHS says leukoplakia patches cannot be rubbed or scraped away and can, over time, develop into mouth cancer, so any persistent patch should be checked. See our guide to white, black or pale gums for the full picture.

What a dentist will do

A dentist will look at the area, ask how long it has been there and whether it has changed, and may take X-rays or a biopsy. Regular checkups mean changes are noticed early.

Frequently asked questions