The Colour of your Gums. Are your Gums having the right colour?  
What should the ideal colour of gums be?
 

The colour of the gums has a lot to say. There is no such thing as an ideal colour of the gums. It varies from person to person. Genetics play a big role in the colour of your gums however a sudden change in the colour can be a cause to an underlying issue. We have listed down the most common gum colours and the possible issues there might be associated with that particular gum colour.  

Pink– Pink gums are a sign of healthy gums and body. Which are completely being taken care of. 

Red– Red gums are an indication of inflammation or some periodontal infection (Gum infection). For example, this can also be a case of sensitivity and one’s gums might bleed while bruising or biting into something.  

Yellow– There can be two aspects to it. Either having Yellow sores or Yellow film over the gums. In case of a yellow film, it could be an indication of mild gingivitis and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. If it is a yellow sore, it indicates towards an ulcer or a viral infection. 

Brown-It is completely natural to have brown gums if you have a darker skin tone and it is considered just as healthy as typically pink gums are considered. Although if that’s not the case then darker gums could also be an indication of excessive sun exposure leading to a melanin accumulation.  

Black– it can be an alarming signal if it is not your natural skin tone. It could be because of overuse of tobacco or certain medications. 

Grey– A grey film on gums could be a sign of a weak immune system. It could often refer to a bacterial infection too. 

White-This colour could generally occur because of fungal infection or if there are white sores too it could be an indication of a viral infection. 

What are the cons of having unhealthy gums? 

Having unhealthy gums is something that could be a distressing signal for not just your dental health but also your whole body that has particularly been linked to causing heart diseases. Gum diseases are either due to terrible oral hygiene and negligence or either an indication of underlying health conditions 

Having unhealthy gums causes severe dental diseases such as severe gingivitis. Poor gum health causes a heightened risk of critical diseases such as heart stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia, problems in pregnancy to quote a few. 

Poor gum health also loosens the gums causing a huge risk of teeth being prone to fall or get deformed and decayed easily. It is an easy pass for all the mouth bacteria to cause more and more dental disease which in turn cause heart and other fatal diseases. A callous negligence on the gums can give rise to bigger issues such as loss of the complete natural dentition.  

How will you know if you don’t have healthy gums? 

It is tough to guess the onset of gum diseases as they start off very painlessly. It takes a very keen eye to guess it at the initial stages. This is why going to the dentists for regular check-ups is so crucial. 

Certain signs of gum infection include

Loose teeth or teeth that slightly move 
Receding gums
Bleeding gums when one brushes or bites into something
Constantly red or swollen gums
Discolouration or change in colour of gums
A constant bad breath or taste
Changing of the alignment of teeth
Deep pockets being formed between the teeth and gums 
 

How can your gums become healthy? 

 It is rightly said that it’s never too late. You can get your gums treated by your dentist if you feel any sudden pain or if you feel a sudden change in the colour of the gums. Keeping a healthy oral hygiene will always help you to stay away from an dental diseases.    

Brush your teeth twice a day with a good fluoride toothpaste. 
Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash once daily.
Floss your teeth every day
Eat a healthy and balanced diet
Do not consume tobacco
Say no to soda and sugar
Drink a lot of water
Eat less spicy 
 Final Note 

Although dental care is very often spoken about not many people are actually mindful about it. Gum diseases are not just a threat to our dental wellbeing but also our overall wellbeing. Almost everyone at some stage of life is prone to some sort of gum disease and it becomes of extreme importance to visit a dentist for regular dental check-ups. 
A Periodontist is a specialist who can help you to identify any gums diseases.