How Can I Get Rid of Black Gums?

✅ Reviewed by Dr. Tom McCawley

🕒 Reading time: three minutes

Dark or black gums can make many people feel self-conscious about their smile. While some gum pigmentation is completely natural, discoloration can also develop from smoking, certain medications, or gum disease. At McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics & Implants, we use advanced laser technology to safely lighten dark gums and restore a healthy, even color.

What Causes Black or Dark Gums?

Dark gums can appear for a variety of reasons, some completely harmless, others related to lifestyle habits or oral health conditions. Understanding what’s behind the color change is the first step toward choosing the right treatment. Here are some of the most common causes of black or dark gums:

• Natural pigmentation: Melanin, the same pigment that gives your skin and hair their color, also affects the shade of your gums. People with darker skin tones often have naturally darker gums, which is completely normal and not a health concern.
• Smoking or tobacco use: Nicotine stimulates melanin production in the gum tissue, leading to darker patches called smoker’s melanosis. Quitting smoking and vaping can help reduce the pigmentation over time.
• Gum disease: When bacteria and plaque build up beneath the gumline, they can cause inflammation and tissue damage. In severe cases, this can lead to gray or black gum tissue, a sign of infection that needs immediate professional care.
• Medications or dental materials: Some prescription medications can cause darkening of the gums. In other cases, a small piece of dental filling can embed in the gum, creating a harmless gray or black spot known as an amalgam tattoo.
• Systemic conditions: Certain medical conditions, like Addison’s disease or hormonal changes, can also cause gum discoloration, though this is uncommon.

How to Lighten or Treat Black Gums

If you are unhappy with the color of your gums or notice dark patches that weren’t there before, there are several safe and effective ways to restore a lighter, healthier look. Here are the most common options, from at-home remedies to professional treatments.

Improve Oral Hygiene

While natural pigmentation cannot be brushed away, good oral hygiene supports healthy, even-colored gums. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling regular dental cleanings help prevent inflammation or infection that can make gums appear darker over time.

Quit Smoking

If you smoke, vape, or use tobacco, quitting can gradually restore the natural color of your gums and improve your overall oral health.

Laser Gum Depigmentation

For patients with dark gums due to excess melanin, laser gum depigmentation offers a safe, minimally invasive way to lighten gum color. The laser gently removes the thin top layer of tissue containing excess pigment, allowing new, lighter tissue to form during healing.

Benefits of Laser Gum Depigmentation

Laser gum depigmentation offers a fast, comfortable, and precise way to improve the appearance of dark or uneven gums. The procedure targets excess pigment without harming surrounding tissue, revealing lighter, healthier-looking gums in just one visit.

Key benefits include:

• Virtually pain-free with no cutting or stitches
• Short recovery time—most patients return to normal activities the same day
• Even, natural-looking gum color
• Long-lasting results with minimal risk of repigmentation
• Safe for all skin tones

Laser Gum Depigmentation in Fort Lauderdale

If uneven or dark gum color has affected your confidence, laser gum depigmentation offers an effective, minimally invasive solution. This advanced treatment restores lighter, healthier-looking gums without the need for scalpels or stitches.

To book an appointment at our periodontal office in Fort Lauderdale, FL, call (954) 807-4829 or visit us at 800 East Broward Blvd #706 Fort Lauderdale, FL.

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