What do your gums say about your mouth?

What do your gums say about your mouth?

Did you know that the color of your gums is a significant health indicator? The health of the whole body is closely related to the state of the mouth. Any change in the texture, composition, or color of the gums could mean that something is not going as it should.

Healthy gums are light pink and appear turgid and without any bleeding. Whitish or dark colorations, or even bleeding, or the presence of or the presence of purplish gums are symptoms of disease or infection.

When should you see a dentist for a significant change in your gums? Find out what your gums are saying about your mouth and your health with these simple tips.

What do healthy gums look like?

The gums are the soft mucous tissue that covers the root of the teeth inside the oral cavity. Its main function is to fix the teeth, protecting them from multiple external factors.

Healthy gums look firm and bright pink in color.. The coloring can vary according to the natural skin tone of each person. While they are light pink in very fair-skinned people, they are slightly darker with a slight coral tone in dark-skinned people.

Although they form part of the soft tissue of the mucosa of the mouth, the gums must remain firm, covering the entire root of the teeth. If they are in an optimal state of health, there will be no discomfort or bleeding of any kind.

Relationship between gum color and health

A change in gum discoloration can be a warning sign of oral disease such as periodontitis. a warning sign of oral disease such as periodontitis. Infection of the gums and the tissues that support the teeth requires urgent treatment to control it and prevent more serious symptoms.

Do you want to know why it is so important to take care of our gums? Don't miss these recommendations on the KIN blog.

However, certain gum colors are related to other general health problems in the body. From autoimmune diseases that affect both the gums and other tissues, to cancerous lesions that spread or originate from different organs.

Learning to differentiate between abnormal gum discoloration and its possible causes is very useful to be able to act in time and make an early diagnosis.

Let's look at the different types of gum discoloration and what to do in each of these cases:

Red gums

Red gums usually look swollen and are very sensitive. It is common for them to bleed when brushing, flossing, or using interdental brushes.

This is an unmistakable unmistakable symptom of periodontal disease caused by the activity of the bacteria that make up the oral biofilm. The infection is initially called gingivitis, but if it is not treated in time, it could develop into periodontitis, when it progresses to the bone and ligaments that support the root of the teeth.

Gingivitis, as well as occurring as a consequence of poor oral hygiene, is common in pregnancy, in patients suffering from hormonal changes, and also in diseases such as diabetes.

Dark gums

When the gums have a dull dark, brownish color, there are two possible reasons. The first is due to too much sun exposure, which colors the gums just like the rest of the skin. as well as the rest of the skin.

The second reason may be discoloration due to nicotine in tobacco, known as 'smoker's melanosis'. This is because nicotine increases the secretion of melanin in the tissue, in addition to the accumulation of other toxic substances.

Gingival melanosis, or darkened gums, occurs with the use of certain medications. consumption of certain medications such as oral contraceptives or tricyclic antidepressants.

White or pale gums

If, on the other hand, the gums have visibly paled, the reasons for this are quite different. White gums are the beginning of gingivitis when plaque starts to build up. when dental plaque begins to accumulate. However, it is common when a person suffers from iron deficiency anaemia, due to a lack of iron.

The white patchy spots on the gum may be caused by mouth sores or canker sores. maybe caused by mouth sores or canker sores. Other reasons are oral candidiasis or infection by the fungus Candida albicans.

Sores can appear as a result of stress, hormonal changes, low defenses, vitamin deficiency, the rubbing of a prosthesis, or as a result of a pre-cancerous lesion. The latter is a sore that persists and does not heal no matter how much time passes.

Yellow gums

Another way gingivitis manifests itself is through yellowing of the gums. Like red gums, there is inflammation and pain which causes great discomfort to the patient.

The yellow gums gradually become redder and redder, with constant bleeding and high sensitivity. It is not advisable to let too much time pass before going to the dentist in the presence of these first symptoms.