The gum It is the fibrous mucous tissue that covers the base of the teeth to protect it from the attack of oral bacteria. Clinically, a healthy gum can be identified without any type of pathology, to that gum that has a color pale pink. In general, any change in the color or appearance of the gum can be an indication of disease.
The tone of the gums can vary depending on the degree of dental hygiene of the patient, their racial pigmentation, or the health of the patient. Gum color can be red, black, or white. When the gums turn pale, with whitish spots or present any alteration, it is important to go early to a trusted dentist to evaluate the cause of the symptom.
exist multiple factors that can influence the Color change of the gums. It may not be very important in some cases, but in other cases it may pose some risk that requires the evaluation and attention of a specialist dentist. In this article we are going to talk about the possible causes that lead to White color of the gums.
Causes of white gums
One of the main causes of white gums is accumulation plaque bacteria. Bacterial plaque is an accumulation of oral bacteria and food debris that settle on the teeth and gums, causing whitish spots. It is essential to remove this bacterial plaque through routine dental brushing, as it is the main factor causing oral pathologies such as tooth decay or periodontal diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Another factor that can lead to the whitish color of the gums is the appearance of canker sores or mouth ulcers. Oral thrush clinically presents as a white blister or spot that can be painful and has discomfort during speech or chewing. Canker sores can appear due to poorly fitting prosthesis, stress, vitamin deficiency, etc. Normally, they usually disappear after a few days, if not, it is advisable to go to the dentist to have them evaluated.
We can also find ourselves before two oral conditions that can give rise to the whitish color of the gums, such as: Oral lichen planus and oral thrush.
Lichen planus refers to a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that presents clinically as a whitish lesion and is associated with a decrease in the immune system or an allergic reaction. Lichen planus lesions can cause oral ulcers and are painful and lead to an oral metallic taste. On the other hand, oral candidiasis is an infection caused by a fungus, known as Candida Albicans, and manifests itself as the appearance of whitish plaques on the gum. These lesions appear first on the inside of the cheeks and can later spread to other oral regions.
Likewise, iron deficiency in the blood, as is the case with iron deficiency anemia, it can also cause the presence of pale, swollen and bleeding gums. This condition should be evaluated by a specialist doctor and indicate the most appropriate treatment, usually through iron-deficiency supplements.
So, in case of presenting any alteration in the tone or appearance of the gum, it is essential go to our dentist of confidence so that you can make a correct diagnosis of the injury and later, indicate the most appropriate treatment. However, it is very important to acquire good oral hygiene habits in order to prevent the appearance of pathologies that may compromise our oral and general health.
