Oral health is an important part of your overall health. Many smokers know the harmful effects of smoking on general health, but they don’t know the negative impact of smoking on oral health. Smoking and chewing tobacco increase the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Also, smoking tobacco for a long period of time may cause dark gums and teeth, which affect your smile and make you less attractive. In this blog post, we are going to talk about why dark gums from smoking happen and what you can do to get rid of this problem.
How Does Smoking Cause Dark Gums?
Healthy gums are usually pink in color. There are a few reasons why your gums become dark after smoking for a long time. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine and tar, as well as other chemicals, that stimulate melanocytes to produce more melanin. The increased production and presence of melanin lead to brown to black gums.
Besides, tobacco products increase the risk of periodontal disease and other oral health issue. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gum tissues and teeth-supporting tissues. As the gum disease progresses, it can lead to changes in the appearance of the gums, including darkening. Warning signs of gum disease include red and swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, bad breath, gum recession, sensitive teeth, loose teeth, and tooth loss.
In severe cases, areas of the gum tissue can start to die (necrosis), leading to dark or black patches on the gums. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), also known as trench mouth, is a bacterial gum infection. Symptoms of trench mouth include severe pain, bleeding, bad-smelling breath, and the formation of ulcers and dead tissue in the mouth.
In rare cases, dark gums from smoking can be a sign of a more serious condition known as oral melanoma. Oral melanoma is a type of oral cancer that affects the melanocytes in the mouth. It typically presents as irregularly shaped, dark patches on the gums or other oral tissues. Although oral melanoma is relatively rare, it can be aggressive and potentially life-threatening if not detected and treated early.
What is Smokers’ Melanosis?
Tobacco smoke can irritate your oral tissues such as gums, cheeks, or palate, causing increased gum pigmentation or darkening of these tissues. This condition is known as smoker’s melanosis, which is a harmless, benign (non-cancerous lesions) reaction from smoking and doesn’t lead to any other kinds of health problems. However, it makes your smile less attractive, which may cause decreased self-confidence.
Smoking cigarettes causes dark pigmentation in the gums. These dark brown to black spots are melanin, a chemical substance produced by specialized cells (melanocytes) that gives your skin, eyes, and hair their color. The reason for dark patches on gums after smoking for a long time is the excess melanin production (melanin hyperpigmentation).
Other Causes of Brown to Black Gums
In some cases, dark gums can be caused by reasons other than smoking. Causes of brown to black gums include:
- Genetic factors: Some people are genetically predisposed to have dark gums.
- Some medications: Dark gums may occur as medication side effects such as antimalarials, antipsychotics, cancer therapy drugs, and some antibiotics. If you notice a change in the gum color after using a new medication, talk to your doctor to prevent adverse effects.
- Amalgam tattoo: This is a discoloration of the gums caused by small particles of amalgam (a type of dental filling material) becoming embedded in the gum tissue during dental procedures. The resulting dark spot is usually harmless but can appear as a blue, gray, or black area on the gums.
- Certain medical conditions: Dark gums may also be a sign of some medical conditions such as acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), Addison’s disease, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, and oral cancer, for example, malignant melanoma.
What Are the Effects of Dark Gums on Oral Health?
Generally, dark gums from smoking (smokers’ melanosis) are a cosmetic problem that has no effects on your oral or general health. It may make your smile less attractive, which causes decreased self-confidence and psychological impact. You may have less confidence to talk or smile in front of your friends and colleagues because of your dark gums.
However, in some cases, dark gums from smoking can indicate more serious underlying oral health problems. The discoloration of the gums can be a sign of gum disease.
Additionally, in rare cases, dark spots on the gums could be a sign of more serious conditions such as oral melanoma or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, a genetic condition.
Therefore, while dark gums may not directly impact oral health for most people, it is essential to monitor any changes in gum color and seek professional dental care if necessary.
How Quickly DO Gums Turn Dark From Smoking?
There is no definite period of time to develop a smoker’s melanosis. The timeline for gums to turn dark from smoking can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as the frequency and duration of smoking, genetics, and overall oral health.
In some cases, noticeable changes in gum color may occur quickly after starting smoking, while in others, it may take longer for the effects to become apparent.
Generally, consistent exposure to the tar, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals in tobacco product smoke can lead to increased melanin production in the gums, resulting in a darker hue over time.
Treatment Options for Dark Gums from Smoking
If you want your gums to return to their natural color, then quit smoking today. But if you can’t stop smoking immediately and you are still struggling with quitting, then your dentist may recommend a cosmetic procedure, such as gum bleaching treatment to lighten the affected areas.
During gum bleaching, your dentist uses a scalpel or other tools to remove the top layer of dark gums that contains excess melanin. After gum bleaching treatment, it takes 1-2 weeks for the dark gums to heal and return to their normal color.
During this period, new gum tissue grows, and the gums will become lighter. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and may cause some discomfort after the procedure. Gum bleaching can be performed with different tools such as:
- Scalpel
- Cryosurgery
- Electrosurgery
- Lasers
While gum bleaching is an effective cosmetic treatment for smokers’ melanosis, it doesn’t solve the underlying reason for your dark gums, which is smoking. If you continue to smoke, your gums will become dark again. So the best way to avoid further darkening of your gums is to quit smoking completely. Learn more about the treatment of black gums from smoking.
Other Treatment Options
Apart from gum bleaching, there are other treatment options available for people with dark gums caused by smoking. These treatment options aim to address the underlying issue and improve gum health. While these treatments may not completely reverse the discoloration, they can help maintain a healthy smile. Here are some alternative treatment options:
- Quit smoking: The most effective method to address dark gums caused by smoking is to quit smoking. Smoking not only affects oral health but also has numerous detrimental effects on overall health.
- Improving oral hygiene: Daily brushing and flossing can help remove bacterial plaque buildup and prevent gum disease. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Additionally, using an antiseptic mouthwash can further help in reducing bacteria and maintaining gum health.
- Professional dental cleanings (regular cleanings): The dentist or oral hygienist will remove bacterial plaque, tartar, and stains from tooth enamel.
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning): The scaling and root planing procedure is recommended for patients with an advanced form of gum disease and infected gum pockets. It involves cleaning below the gum line to remove bacterial plaque and tartar from the roots of the teeth and then smoothing the root surfaces to help the gums reattach to the teeth.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial in preventing dark gums. Regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist for professional cleanings can help keep your gums healthy and minimize the risk of developing dark pigmentation.
How long Does It take for Dark Gums to Return to Normal Color after Quitting Smoking?
After you stop smoking, it usually takes from 3 months to 3 years for your gums to get back to normal color. This varies, depending on how long you have been smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Some people will notice their gums returning to normal within several months, while others may need one to two years or more for this period.
It is not uncommon to experience bleeding gums after quitting smoking, as the improved blood flow to the gums can reveal underlying issues like gum disease.
Dark Gums from Smoking – Conclusion
Smoking cigarettes and tobacco products can lead to dark gums due to the excess melanin production (melanin hyperpigmentation). Tar and nicotine in tobacco can stimulate melanocytes to melanin production, causing discolored gum tissue, ranging from brown to black in gum color.
It is important to note that dark gums from smoking are not only a cosmetic issue but can also indicate underlying oral health problems, such as gum disease, necrotizing gingivitis (ANUG), and malignant melanoma. Addressing the issue requires quitting smoking, improving oral hygiene, and seeking regular professional dental care to prevent and manage potential complications. Following these steps can lead to healthy gums, better oral health, and a healthy smile.
