Gums have an essential role to play for enhancing our smile. They make our overall appearance beautiful and we all wish to have pink and healthy gums.
Slightly darkening of gums tends to make us self-conscious about our face. On the other hand, these patches can be more than just an unpleasing look.
How to avoid Dark Gums?
You cannot avoid the darkening of gums in case you’re suffering from the aforementioned diseases but listed below are some of the effective remedies to help you fight against this problem that is lowering your confidence.
After all, our gums help enhance the beauty of the face by bringing a charming million dollar smile supported by rose pink colored gums. Here’s how you can retain them:
Brush twice daily without fail
If you’re not, chances are your gums will appear dark in a few years down the line and deteriorate your facial beauty in sometime.
So, stop being lazy and brush your teeth by following a proper brushing technique without going abrasive or too harsh on your teeth. Gently strokes of brush on all the corners of your mouth at least twice is a must.
Floss and give your teeth a bright toss
Did you know flossing teeth can help you get rid of several teeth related problems and keep your teeth and gum in shape and good health too. You might notice your teeth bleeding in the initial days of flossing but that’s quite natural and a sign that you must floss daily to avoid bleeding and strengthen your teeth and gums.
Avoid carbonated beverages
The consumption of carbonated or aerated beverages is so common these days that people have replaced them with water. Such a disgrace!
These drinks contain several carbon related particles that might react with your enamel and corrode them in future thereby making your gums dark and black and rotten.
Abandon tobacco
This is the best thing to do we bet. Tobacco is not only harmful for your body, lungs, mouth and causes deadly dangerous diseases include cancer, but it also leads to dark gums. Quit smoking and breathe fresh.
Cut down on alcohol consumption
Alcohol consists of ethanol which can lead to several kidney and liver damage diseases and regular intake will react with your gums and result in darkening and black gums.
In some cases they indicate an underlying health issues which has to be treated as soon as you detect it. Many a time, poor oral care and bad lifestyle leads to these conditions. There are numerous factors which lead to darkening of gums. Some of them are:
- Heredity
- Medication
- Smoking
- Stress
- Lack of oral hygiene
- Imbalanced nutrition
- Production of tartar or plaque
Sometimes, our gums turn grayish because of the accidental implantation of the silver amalgam in our gum tissue while we restore or extract teeth. These patches are spotted by black gums around the crown, filling and dentures, and are called ‘amalgamation tattoos’ by the doctors.
These conditions have to be treated by an oral care specialist. Some of the changes in lifestyle that you’d be asked to make would include:
- Brushing and flossing properly. At least twice a day or thrice.
- Gargling with a mouthwash or gargling with lukewarm water added with salt. To repeat twice a day.
- Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco
- Following a diet which have proper vitamins, minerals and other necessary nutrients
- Adopting method to reduce stress, for instance, yoga and meditation
- Going to the dentist for checkups and cleanups at regularly intervals
There are some more conditions which create darkening of gums, and these have to be treated by a doctor:
- Oral infections
- Dead tissues in gums
- Black gum disease
- HIV / AIDS
- Internal bleeding
- Malignant melanoma
- Ulcerative gingivitis
These conditions are serious and needs prompt care and medication. Your doctor will give you the prescribed list which would include some antibiotics like, clavulanic acid amoxicillin and metronidazole.
Finally, if you do not get the darkening lessened with these medications, you might have to get the damaged tissues removed by a periodontist. Many a time, an oxygen therapy is advised for treating black gums.
Getting pinker gums mean that you are promoting improved oral hygiene. There are some regular methods to follow in your daily routine which helps you get and maintain pink gums:
Toothpaste
You have to be wise enough to choose proper toothpaste, which is specifically designed to help you improve your gums. You might have to pay some extra bucks but you would get the desired results
Brush before two meals
The conventional practice has taught us to brush after meals, but dentist suggest the opposite. They are concerned with removing the plaque which is formed on every tooth and not on food removal which we seemed to stress more on.
Minimum cleanup
You have to brush two times a day. For optimal care, brush thrice.
Time frame
Most people try to brush fast, but you need to spare a minimum of 2 minutes for this! Divide your teeth into 4 quadrants and brush every quadrant for 30 seconds. Make sure you hit all the parts of your mouth.
Don’t overdo
Don’t brush for more than 3 times a days. This can lead to damage of both gums and teeth. Dentist state this as ‘toothbrush abrasion’ and can deteriorate your enamels and make them sensitive.
If you have an electric brush, just go with the flow, and don’t exert much pressure. Replace toothbrushes once in 3 months for promoting better hygiene.
Use floss
There are numerous types of flosses available in the pharmacies. From nylon to monofilament and then from flavorless to mint-flavored, you get it all! Get the one which is comfortable for you as the regular usage is more important than the type chosen.
- Floss once a day, no matter how gross it seems!
- Sometimes flossing gives you improved results which brushing does not.
- Over-brushing can be a problem but over-flossing ever can!
- It doesn’t matter when you floss, as long as you maintain doing it once everyday.
- People who newly start flossing tend to make their gums bleed. Don’t discontinue, the condition will soon stop.
Use a mouthwash
Mouthwash is important because this cleanup the entire mouth and not only the teeth. They reduce bad breath and keep your tongue clean.
Choose a product sealed by American Dental Association. While buying, make sure that it is formulated for gum health, and not over cosmetic for fresher breath. Also, avoid the mouthwashes with alcohol content, as they dry the skin out.
Don’t use a mouthwash immediately after brushing. This could lessen some benefits of brushing teeth. Use it before brushing or 1 hour after brushing.
Immediate care
There are some problems which need professional attention immediately. These conditions would include:
- Swollen/Red gums
- Bleeding beyond normal while flossing
- Loosening of tooth
- Receding gums
- Bad taste while eating or chronic bad breath
Regular checkups
Even if you decide to promote oral care at home, you have to keep certain things in mind, like removing plaque buildup, whitening teeth, etc. You might keep a periodical check up routine with a dentist who would tell you the developed conditions of your oral care.
How often you’d meet a doctor would be on your own needs are preference, but having your teeth checked up once a year is necessary. Your dentist would let you know about further checkups.
Oil pulling
How to clean black gums? This is a famous technique that has been used for ages to turn dark gums pink again. Take a some coconut oil or sesame oil in your mouth. Don’t swallow it. Keep this for a minimum of twenty minutes. This will help to remove the toxins present in your mouth.
It also removes oral diseases and stops cavities from forming in your mouth. The technique of oil pulling is similar to the use of mouthwash. It kills germs and eliminates the problem of bad breath. This is also the perfect cure for different types of gum disorders.
Use of sea salt for pink gums
In a bowl take two tablespoons of sea salt and mix it with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply this all over your gums and keep it for a few minutes before you wash it off with lukewarm water. This mixture will help to minimize the inflammation caused in your guns.
The anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties of these two ingredients will reduce every gum problem you have been facing for so long. Your gums turn a shade lighter with every use of this. Do it once everyday for best results.
Vitamin C
More than often deficiency is the reason that causes gum related problems. When your gums fail to get the nutrition they need, it becomes darker. They also start to bleed and more than often suffer from inflammation.
When you increase the consumption it Vitamin C the problems of dark gums start to reduce automatically. Include kale, oranges, broccoli, brussel sprouts and red peppers in your diet. Bleeding gums, inflammation, pain and discoloration will go away automatically.
Septilin
How to get rid of black gums? This is the best medicine that you can use to cure gum related problems. Manufactured with the use of Ayurvedic products this is the best way to turn your gums pink again. It also fights a lot of infections that is caused in the gums.
Septilin is a merge of Guduchi, Guggulu, licorice and amla. It helps to improve the immune system. Inflammation is reduced too. Within a matter of few weeks you will the kind of results you want.
Amla
The natural remedy that can cure the health of your gums is Amla. It helps to turn dark gums pink again. Amla is the best way to develop and heal tissues in your mouth. You can consume Amla everyday to see results.
Green tea
How to clean dark gums? Green tea is rich in antioxidants and is known to be the elixir of healthcare. Green tea is known to treat numerous diseases.
It helps you reduce darkening of gums, inflammation of gum and also destroys the bacteria which is formulated in our mouth, and is the cause of periodontal issues. Have a cup of green tea every morning to promote stronger teeth.
Sesame oil
Sesame oil can also be used to remove toxic substances. They also lessen plaque buildup which in turn reduces the gums from darkening and weakening. Take ¼ cup of sesame oil to swish your mouth well.
You could also warm the oil a little for absorbing the toxin content and plaque. This oil also acts like a protective coating to your gums, which prevents the gums and teeth from dental decay and promotes healthier gums.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is famous for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Take fresh gel from aloe vera plant for brushing your teeth. Simply take the gel and apply on your teeth.
After that, take a toothbrush and spread the gel while you brush it all over. This would prevent receding of gums and heal infections, if any.
Coconut oil
How to clean your black gums? Coconut oil is antimicrobial in nature. It is another amazing remedy for treating our gums from receding and also the causes behind it. Take virgin coconut oil to swish your mouth after brushing teeth.
It acts like a layer of protection again diseases which are caused by bacteria. This also helps you get rid of the food particles which stick in-between two teeth.
Lemon oil
Lemon oil has antiseptic qualities which act like an amazing antibacterial agent. Though, direct application of lemon oil isn’t recommended as it can lead to enamel corrosion. You can prepare lemon oil with added lemon with olive oil and let it blend well for a few weeks.
This oil can then be used for swishing your mouth every morning. It’ll kill bacteria and prevent gums from receding. Lemon also promotes formation of tissues which can replace the damaged once.
Eucalyptus
This is an essential oil which kills germs from mouth and reduces gum diseases and tooth decay. It is anti-inflammatory in nature and reduces swelling of gums too.
Take some of the oil and add water to dilute. Massage the content on your gums and repeat daily. Rinse off with water and promote growth of tissues.
Clove
Cloves act as an essential ingredient to improve oral care. Clove oil has antiseptic, antifungal and anti-microbial properties which stimulates the growth and repairs the damaged tissues.
They act as a powerful ingredient to stop the bacterial action with frequent usage. Massage teeth with clove oil everyday for improved gums.
Tea tree oil
It can be diluted and then used for swishing of mouth. It prevents gums from receding and root damage. The oil is very strong, and cannot be used with diluting. The tea-tree oil is antifungal and microbial which kills the germs and reduces plaques on teeth and between teeth and gums.
Sage leaves
These act like a tonic of gums and are wonderful for treating mucus membrane. They can be directly rubbed on the teeth and gums for protecting the gums and promoting a healthier color.
You can add these leaves to your tea, which would come in contact with the teeth and do its magic! You could even boil some leaves in water, bring down the temperature and rinse your mouth with it.
Rose vinegar
It helps to strengthen gums and can be used for rinsing the mouth. To make this you need to add 3 ounces of rose petals and then soak them in red wine vinegar.
Let the water steep for a week and then strain it. You could also add 1 tablespoon of rose vinegar to 1 cup of warm water for rinsing your mouth everyday.
Myrrh
Myrrh is a type of resin extracted from trees. This is known to stop recession of gums and for keeping them healthier. They are known to prevent conditions on your root, which happen with aging and excess consumption of sweets.
It is also known for improve the quality of gums and adding strength to it. The best way to use myrrh is by using it to cleanse the mouth. You get tooth powder which can be more convenient to opt for.
Sumac tree
Sumac tree comes with valuable stringent qualities which treat gum conditions and make them look healthier. It is an easy way to stimulate gums and they make the teeth whiter as well.
Prevent those visible white teeth from damage and decay by simply obtaining the twigs of the tree. Peel the outer bar of the twigs and then gently use them for rubbing on the inside.
Yarrow
The wild yarrow plants are used for their antiseptic and astringent properties. Both the flowers and leaves are used for this purpose and they are gently rubbed over the teeth and gum zone. It benefits by preventing gum recession and makes you look better.
Salt
Using salt for oral hygiene is a quick and easy hack to get whiter teeth and better looking gums. Salt is known to feel gum diseases at bay and make them look healthier. You can also prevent gum pain with the usage of this available home ingredient.
FAQs
Neem is an effective home remedy that contains antibacterial compounds. Neem helps to clean the dirty spots on the gums and also brightens gums. Using neem toothpaste or mouthwashes are effective to prevent plaque and gingivitis.
Researches show that cranberry helps to prevent gum disease as it stops bacteria from sticking to your teeth. Compounds found in cranberry regulate periodontitis-related inflammation. Use some quantity of cranberry paste and gently rub on your gums for better results.
Certain factors are related to bleeding gums. Sometimes it is a mild matter. If anyone continues to experience symptoms like pain while chewing, bleeding teeth continuously, it can be crucial. So it is better to consult a dentist to seek proper treatment.
Yes. Turmeric is a rich source of therapeutic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial elements that stop gum bleeding. Its curcumin compounds help to strengthen gums and also repel the bad smell of your mouth. Mix some turmeric with mustard oil together and massage the blend on the gum.
Honey contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that destroy the bacteria that cause gum bleeding. Take some teaspoon raw honey on fingertips and massage on your gums gently. Follow it regularly to get healthy pink gums.
Raw apples are beneficial as they contain Vitamin C and other nutrients that make your gums strong. The habit of eating a raw apple for half an hour after meals clean your teeth and repair damaged tissue. Also check the causes below and follow remedies mentioned on the same page.
