While a lot of information about oral health revolves around your teeth, your gums are a huge factor in your dental health as well. You may wonder what color should your gums should actually be, and whether or not your oral health care routine is addressing the health of your gums. Healthy gums should look a pinkish color and be firm. This is likely a good sign that your oral care routine is working. However, if your gums are anything other than pink in color and firm, it’s time to consult with a dental professional.
What Color Should My Gums Be?
Unhealthy gums can appear in a variety of ways. A common issue with unhealthy gums is that they may appear to be pale in color. It’s important to note that while healthy gums are often a pink color, there can be some pale color around your teeth and that’s perfectly normal. Now the pink color can vary depending on your race or ethnicity as certain gums will be darker or lighter than others. If you notice that your gums are lighter than usual (whether or not they were naturally pink before), then your oral health may need to be addressed with a dental professional. Pale gums may also be a sign of other medical issues, such as anemia, leukoplakia, or menopause.
In addition to pale gums, gums that are red and swollen can also be a sign of dental issues. Most often these types of issues on your gums are related to gum disease. Gum disease is also referred to as periodontitis and is caused by gingivitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation of your gums most often caused by a bacterial infection. When gingivitis is left untreated it can turn into gum disease. This is a major cause of tooth loss and requires treatment as soon as possible.
When to Contact A Dental Professional
If you have noticed a change in your gums, it’s important to get to a dental professional. However, if you experience pale, red, or swollen gums in conjunction with any of the following, get to the dentist as soon as you can.
Treatment for Gum Issues
If a dental professional determines that you have gum disease, it will require treatment beyond a regular routine cleaning.Periodontics in Chino Hillscan help treat your gum disease and get you well on your way back to a healthy smile. However, depending on the severity of your gum disease you may need a deep cleaning, antibiotics, or possibly surgery.
In the case of deep cleaning, your dentist may prescribe scaling, root planing, or lasers. Scaling removes tartar from above and below your gum line. Root planing smooths out rough spots and removes plaque and tartar from the root surface. Lasers also remove tartar from your teeth, but this treatment option is often less painful than the other two.
Because gum disease is a major reason for tooth loss, early treatment is vital to ensure the best possible outcome. After treatment it is crucial to maintain a consistent oral care routine. Talk with a dentist about what is right for you.
Chino Hills Dentist
If your family is looking for a dentist office skilled in periodontics, contact the team at Dental Care of Chino Hills. They are focused on ensuring you feel safe and comfortable as they understand the fear and anxiety that people may have when it comes to the dentist. Their mission is to help their patients maintain a healthy and beautiful smile by providing an unparalleled level of high-quality dental care. Contact the bestChino Hills dentisttoday for an appointment!
FAQs
Healthy gums should look a pinkish color and be firm. This is likely a good sign that your oral care routine is working.
What Colour should healing gums be? ›
This tissue is typically white or cloudy over the incision, which sometimes causes concern for patients, but it is normal for healing gum tissue.
What color should your gums be to be healthy? ›
Healthy gums are light pink in colour, and appear turgid and without any bleeding. Whitish or dark colourations, or even bleeding, or the presence of or the presence of purplish gums are a symptom of disease or infection.
What are abnormal gum colors? ›
Common Causes for Gum Discoloration
- Pale gums: anemia and side effect of bleaching.
- Red gums color: inflammation.
- Bluish-gray and blue spots: drugs, poisoning.
- White spots: stomatitis, leukoplakia, thrush.
- Brown and black spots: smoking, diseases.
How do I know if my gums are healthy? If your gums are in good shape, they will appear pink and firm. They will not bleed when you floss or brush, and they will not feel sensitive or swollen. By maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, you can ensure that your gums stay in great condition.
What do unhealthy gums look like? ›
Unhealthy gums may appear bright red and swollen. They may feel extremely sensitive or tender to the touch. They may bleed everytime you brush or floss your teeth. These symptoms can indicate an unhealthy condition, like gum disease or a gum infection.
Does white gums mean healing? ›
White gums may suggest a condition affecting a person's oral health. Several conditions can cause white gums, from canker sores to long-term inflammatory illnesses. In rare cases, white gums can indicate oral cancer, so it is essential to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
What does stage 1 gingivitis look like? ›
Gingivitis. In the first stage of periodontitis, called gingivitis, you may notice red, swollen gums and bad breath. Gums might also bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis, which is reversible, can be treated by improving at-home dental care and visiting your dentist regularly for treatment.
How can I make my gums healthy again? ›
7 Steps to Restoring Gum Health
- Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day with Fluoride Toothpaste. ...
- Floss Daily to Remove Plaque and Food Particles. ...
- Use an Antibacterial Mouthwash to Kill Bacteria. ...
- Avoid Tobacco Products. ...
- Oil Pulling. ...
- Eat a Balanced Diet. ...
- Don't Skip Dental Visits.
Whether it's from not brushing and flossing effectively — or attending to the cleaning needs of the teeth inconsistently — bacterial buildup causes gum inflammation and the resulting redness, tenderness and swelling. Unlike periodontal disease, gingivitis is reversible. Thus, prioritise daily flossing and brushing.
Gingivitis can cause bright or dark red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, especially when you brush your teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink.
Do gums get darker with age? ›
People may notice that their gums change from a bright or even a pale pink color, to a dark pink, red, or even brown color. This can be a totally natural change as people age, or it can also be a symptom of a bigger problem.
Should you brush your gums? ›
Brushing the gums gently but thoroughly, especially at the gum line, should be part of everyone's daily dental hygiene routine.
What does a gingivitis look like? ›
If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also experience bad breath. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it.
How do you know if something is wrong with your gums? ›
Symptoms of periodontitis can include:
- Swollen or puffy gums.
- Bright red, dark red or dark purple gums.
- Gums that feel tender when touched.
- Gums that bleed easily.
- A toothbrush that looks pink after brushing your teeth.
- Spitting out blood when brushing or flossing your teeth.
- Bad breath that won't go away.
A periodontal abscess looks like a boil or pimple on your gums. It's usually darker than other areas of your gum and looks swollen. The swelling can range from mild to severe.
What color is a healing gum graft? ›
In the first week following your gum graft surgery, it's common to see the graft transition to white, gray, or pink, all part of the natural healing process. This white appearance is due to a decrease in tissue oxygenation and initial lack of blood supply to the area.
What is normal healing gums? ›
About 3 days after your tooth extraction, your gums will begin to heal and close around the removal site. And finally, 7-10 days after your procedure, the opening left by your extracted tooth should be closed (or almost closed), and your gums should no longer be tender or swollen.
What color is a failed gum graft? ›
If your gum graft failed, you'll probably notice a large patch of white tissue that has come off of your tooth. Its lack of color means that the gum graft lost blood supply and is dying.
What color are gums with periodontal disease? ›
Red gums are common among periodontal disease patients. Redness is usually accompanied by swelling, tenderness, and bleeding under pressure.
