Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Like skin color, gums come in a variety of shades. People with moremelanintend to have darker gums. Therefore, black gums may be perfectly normal for some people.
On the other hand, if black gums are not your natural shade, they could be indicating a health condition, a side effect from medication, or damage from smoking.
This article explains black gums' causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Jerome Tisne / Getty Images
Symptoms of Black Gums
The main symptom of black gums is gum color that appears black or dark brown. The color variation of black gums may include:
Pigmented spots on gums can be benign (noncancerous). However, it can also be a symptom of more severe diseases, like oral malignantmelanoma. Therefore, if your gums have black spots, you should see a dentist or your healthcare provider for an evaluation.
Periodontal (Gum) Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
Causes of Black Gums
Natural variations in gum color, benign lesions, smoking, left-behind dental procedure particles, medication, and some health conditions, includingcancer, can cause black gums.
Melanotic Macules
Melanotic maculesare benign dark patches on the gums. They are the most common cause of dark pigmentation in the mouth, accounting for 86% of dark lesions.
Aside from dark spots, these lesions do not cause symptoms. They usually are less than 1 centimeter in diameter and flat. They may be brown, black, blue, or gray.
Since melanotic macules look similar to other conditions that are not benign but rather harmful, a healthcare provider may take a biopsy (a tissue sample to be analyzed in a lab) to rule out malignancy.
Smoker’s Melanosis
Smokingcan sometimes cause melanin to accumulate in the gums. When this occurs, it is called “smoker’s melanosis.” It looks like a flat area on the gums that is black or brown.
The condition is common, affecting 22% of smokers.It is dose-dependent, meaning that the more someone smokes, the greater the likelihood of having smoker’s melanosis. The condition is benign, but a healthcare provider may take a biopsy to rule out malignancy.
Amalgam Tattoos
Anamalgamtattoo occurs when silver (amalgam) dental filling material deposits into the gums after a dental procedure.This results in a black or bluish-gray flat area on the gums that most often occurs near the tooth that had dental work.
Medications
Certain drugs can cause melanin pigmentation on the gums. These include:
Addison’s disease
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome
Oral Malignant Melanoma
Oral malignant melanoma is a form of skin cancer that develops in the mouth, including on the gums. Oral melanomas are rare, involving 0.2%–8% of melanomas in the United States.
Early on, malignant melanoma can be asymptomatic (causing no symptoms) but can show signs of changes in shape, symmetry, and color. Later on, there may be open sores, unusual bleeding, and swelling in the mouth. They are usually dark brown to bluish-black. But, occasionally, skin-colored or white lesions occur. Healthcare providers diagnose melanomas through a tissue biopsy.
How to Treat Black Gums
Treating black gums depends on the cause. No treatment is necessary if black gums are your standard gum color. Likewise, if a benign lesion causes black gums, you may not need any treatment.
However, if black gums cause you problems or pain, or if they develop into cancer, you may need treatment. In addition, some people prefer treatment for cosmetic reasons. Some treatment options for black gums include:
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Black Gums?
To diagnose the cause of black gums, healthcare providers may use the following to assess your gums:
If your gums have always been black, there is likely no cause for concern. However, if your gums—or a patch on your gums—is suddenly black, that’s worth checking out. Make an appointment with a dentist trained in diagnosing diseases of the mouth.
Summary
Black gums can be a normal pigmentation for people with dark skin tones. However, black gums or black patches on your gums that are new may indicate a health concern. Conditions that cause black gums include melanotic macules, smoking, amalgam tattoos, medications, certain (systemic) diseases, and cancer. Treatment isn’t always necessary, but there are several options for removing black spots on the gums.
A Word From Verywell
You may become worried if you’ve noticed new black gums or black patches on your gums. Take heart; chances are they’re nothing to be concerned about. Oral melanomas are extremely rare. Even so, if you notice any new lesions in your mouth, it’s best to get them evaluated. A dentist can rule out the possibility of malignancy.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMany things can cause black gums. Often, black gums are a natural variation in gum color. But, other times, when gums turn black, it can indicate another cause, like non-cancerous lesions, smoking, amalgam tattoos, medication side effects, Addison’s disease, or cancer.Learn MoreDifference Between Malignant and BenignYes, smoking can cause black gums. The condition is called smoker’s melanosis, which can cause black and brown deposits on the gums.Learn MoreSmoking CessationBlack gums don’t always require treatment. However, some people prefer treatment for cosmetic reasons. If you have black lesions on your gums, some treatment options include surgical abrasion, scalpel gingivectomy, laser vaporization, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, chemical methods, and gingival grafts.Learn MoreGum Surgery
Many things can cause black gums. Often, black gums are a natural variation in gum color. But, other times, when gums turn black, it can indicate another cause, like non-cancerous lesions, smoking, amalgam tattoos, medication side effects, Addison’s disease, or cancer.Learn MoreDifference Between Malignant and Benign
Many things can cause black gums. Often, black gums are a natural variation in gum color. But, other times, when gums turn black, it can indicate another cause, like non-cancerous lesions, smoking, amalgam tattoos, medication side effects, Addison’s disease, or cancer.
Learn MoreDifference Between Malignant and Benign
Yes, smoking can cause black gums. The condition is called smoker’s melanosis, which can cause black and brown deposits on the gums.Learn MoreSmoking Cessation
Yes, smoking can cause black gums. The condition is called smoker’s melanosis, which can cause black and brown deposits on the gums.
Learn MoreSmoking Cessation
Black gums don’t always require treatment. However, some people prefer treatment for cosmetic reasons. If you have black lesions on your gums, some treatment options include surgical abrasion, scalpel gingivectomy, laser vaporization, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, chemical methods, and gingival grafts.Learn MoreGum Surgery
Black gums don’t always require treatment. However, some people prefer treatment for cosmetic reasons. If you have black lesions on your gums, some treatment options include surgical abrasion, scalpel gingivectomy, laser vaporization, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, chemical methods, and gingival grafts.
Learn MoreGum Surgery
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Oral Cancer Foundation.Oral malignant melanoma.Seitz SD, Dinh TN, Yoon TY.Melanotic macule in conjunction with a giant cell fibroma.J Contemp Dent Pract. 2017;18(10):981-985. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2160Monteiro LS, Costa JA, da Câmara MI, et al.Aesthetic depigmentation of gingival smoker’s melanosis using carbon dioxide lasers.Case Rep Dent. 2015:510589. doi:10.1155/2015/510589Bringham and Women’s Hospital.Amalgam tattoo.Abdel Moneim RA, El Deeb M, Rabea AA.Gingival pigmentation (Cause, treatment and histological preview).Future Dental Journal. 2017;3(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.fdj.2017.04.002National Organization for Rare Disorders.Addison’s disease.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Peutz Jeghers syndrome.Williams PM, Poh CF, Hovan AJ, Ng S, Rosin MP.Evaluation of a suspicious oral mucosal lesion.J Can Dent Assoc. 2008;74(3):275-280.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Oral Cancer Foundation.Oral malignant melanoma.Seitz SD, Dinh TN, Yoon TY.Melanotic macule in conjunction with a giant cell fibroma.J Contemp Dent Pract. 2017;18(10):981-985. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2160Monteiro LS, Costa JA, da Câmara MI, et al.Aesthetic depigmentation of gingival smoker’s melanosis using carbon dioxide lasers.Case Rep Dent. 2015:510589. doi:10.1155/2015/510589Bringham and Women’s Hospital.Amalgam tattoo.Abdel Moneim RA, El Deeb M, Rabea AA.Gingival pigmentation (Cause, treatment and histological preview).Future Dental Journal. 2017;3(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.fdj.2017.04.002National Organization for Rare Disorders.Addison’s disease.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Peutz Jeghers syndrome.Williams PM, Poh CF, Hovan AJ, Ng S, Rosin MP.Evaluation of a suspicious oral mucosal lesion.J Can Dent Assoc. 2008;74(3):275-280.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The Oral Cancer Foundation.Oral malignant melanoma.Seitz SD, Dinh TN, Yoon TY.Melanotic macule in conjunction with a giant cell fibroma.J Contemp Dent Pract. 2017;18(10):981-985. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2160Monteiro LS, Costa JA, da Câmara MI, et al.Aesthetic depigmentation of gingival smoker’s melanosis using carbon dioxide lasers.Case Rep Dent. 2015:510589. doi:10.1155/2015/510589Bringham and Women’s Hospital.Amalgam tattoo.Abdel Moneim RA, El Deeb M, Rabea AA.Gingival pigmentation (Cause, treatment and histological preview).Future Dental Journal. 2017;3(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.fdj.2017.04.002National Organization for Rare Disorders.Addison’s disease.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Peutz Jeghers syndrome.Williams PM, Poh CF, Hovan AJ, Ng S, Rosin MP.Evaluation of a suspicious oral mucosal lesion.J Can Dent Assoc. 2008;74(3):275-280.
The Oral Cancer Foundation.Oral malignant melanoma.
Seitz SD, Dinh TN, Yoon TY.Melanotic macule in conjunction with a giant cell fibroma.J Contemp Dent Pract. 2017;18(10):981-985. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2160
Monteiro LS, Costa JA, da Câmara MI, et al.Aesthetic depigmentation of gingival smoker’s melanosis using carbon dioxide lasers.Case Rep Dent. 2015:510589. doi:10.1155/2015/510589
Bringham and Women’s Hospital.Amalgam tattoo.
Abdel Moneim RA, El Deeb M, Rabea AA.Gingival pigmentation (Cause, treatment and histological preview).Future Dental Journal. 2017;3(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.fdj.2017.04.002
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Addison’s disease.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Peutz Jeghers syndrome.
Williams PM, Poh CF, Hovan AJ, Ng S, Rosin MP.Evaluation of a suspicious oral mucosal lesion.J Can Dent Assoc. 2008;74(3):275-280.
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