You take good care of your teeth and gums. They’re healthy, straight, and, every six months, your dentist tells you that your smile is perfect. But, when you look in the mirror, all you can notice are the blotchy spots along your gumline. They distract from your smile and you’re starting to feel self-conscious about them when you go out with friends or try to make a good impression on someone special at work. Read on to learn more about what causes purple gums and the ways to treat them….
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a gum disease that can occur when your gums become inflamed. Gingivitis can cause bleeding, pain, and red or purple gums around the tooth line. The inflammation is caused by plaque buildup on the teeth and underneath the gumline. Gingivitis is often caused by poor dental hygiene practices including not brushing enough, not flossing, or forgetting to change your toothbrush every 3 months. If left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis where the inflammation may spread to your jawbone and other parts of your body. There are several ways to treat gingivitis such as scaling and root planing (a type of deep cleaning) as well as using chlorhexidine mouthwash between cleanings.
Who Gets It?
The purple gum spots, which usually appear on the inside of the lips, are a sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the tissues that surround your teeth and can be caused by plaque or tartar buildup. Anyone can develop gingivitis, but those with periodontal disease or who have poor oral hygiene are more susceptible to it. It may also be genetic as well. Gingivitis can be treated with dental cleanings and professional gum treatment (i.e., scaling).
You May Also Like:
What Can I Do About It?
Taking care of your teeth and gums is just as important as brushing, flossing, and drinking water. But even if you take the best care of them, you might still have purple spots. What can you do about it? Here are a few tips:
- Get regular dental checkups
- Brush twice a day
- Floss at least once per day
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit sugar intake to prevent tooth decay
If This Problem Hasn’t Gone Away On Its Own…
If this problem hasn’t gone away on its own, it may be a sign of an underlying health issue. The most likely cause is inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque and tartar buildup around the teeth and not brushing regularly. When you brush your teeth, that plaque and tartar can irritate your gum tissue which causes it to swell up and become red or purple in color. You might also notice some pain when you brush your teeth or eat certain foods because the pressure of these things on swollen tissues hurts more than usual. If your symptoms persist or worsen, please make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.
The Long-Term Solution:
The good news is that there are a few things you can do to get rid of your purple gums. Your dentist will probably recommend that you start with the least invasive option first, like scaling and root planing. This procedure removes plaque from the surface of your teeth and from below the gum line. It’s done by a dental professional and should be done every three months to prevent recurring gingivitis.
