White gums: advice and treatment

1. Definition of white gums

2. The different colors of the gums

3. What causes white gums?

4. How to recognize your symptoms

5. How to treat white gums?

6. What preventive actions can be taken to avoid this situation?

Food, cigarettes, medications, so many elements can impact our oral health . Which is not surprising when we know that all these substances must pass through our mouths daily. The gums being one of the most sensitive organs in the body, it can easily be affected by an infection. 🥴

Among the many conditions that can affect it, we can count white gums . This phenomenon can be caused by many factors, and manifest itself in various ways.

In the majority of cases, it is recommended to consult a dentist as soon as the first symptoms appear. However, there are some precautions you can take to prevent this disease. ☝️

MyVariations teaches you more about the causes, symptoms and treatments of white gums.

First of all, it should be understood that normal gum tissue generally has a uniform pale pink color. So, whitish gum usually suggests that something is wrong with the oral health of the person concerned. White gums most often represent a fungal infection (but yes, you know, fungi). 🍄

Characterized by the appearance and development of bacteria in the oral cavity , it attacks the roots of the teeth and the gums. This is how the whitish spots are created. It should be noted, however, that white gums can suggest many oral diseases. It is not a sign that justifies a specific condition. This is why it is necessary to turn to a dentist to undergo a real diagnosis. 🥼

The color of the gums may vary depending on your general health and your oral health. It is therefore essential to know the meaning of the different colors and to be able to recognize healthy gums .

Healthy gums will tend to be a pale pink color with a firm appearance. This then shows that it is well maintained and healthy. 👄

Brown gums do not necessarily indicate an oral problem as it may be the natural color for some people. But if the color changes and turns brown, you should be concerned. ✋ To reassure yourself, you can check the texture of the gums to see if they are smooth and firm.

A slight yellow film on the surface of the gums may indicate one or more gum infections. These can be painful for the affected person. Also, yellow gums sometimes mean you have an ulcer. 😰

If you notice that your gums are red, a sign of inflammation , it is probably gingivitis. This is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque following poor oral hygiene .
It is generally accompanied by bleeding, pain, swelling of the gums, and even loosening of the teeth in the most advanced cases. 🩸 To remedy this, rigorous maintenance of the oral cavity, a good method of brushing your teeth is necessary followed by appropriate treatments.

Be careful, red gums can also be a sign of the appearance of pimples on the gums , which should not be taken lightly. Keep your eyes peeled and if these pimples appear, make an appointment with the dentist!

Typically linked to smoking , black gums are a critical sign that should be taken seriously. Your general practitioner or dentist will need to examine your situation and your history to provide you with the best care. 🚬

When the gums turn white, it is probably a fungal infection such as saburral tongue for example. The latter requires medical attention to be treated. However, when the white films are accompanied by pain or sores, it may be a viral infection, or a mycosis such as oral candidiasis (also called oral thrush) . We must therefore find solutions as soon as possible to prevent this from getting worse. 🙅‍♂️

White gums can refer to several gingival disorders and therefore have causes that vary in each case.

Oral mycosis or oral candidiasis is a disease responsible for the appearance of white spots on the gums. It comes from the development of a Candida type champion. 🦠

The latter attacks the oral cavity and causes the deposition of white dots on the different walls of the mouth (tongue, gums, teeth, cheek). It is very common in people suffering from immunodepression or with poor hygiene.

Also known as focal keratosis, gingival hyperkeratosis is a very common pathology among smokers. It is caused by the heat of the smoke and the effect of the toxic substances that make up tobacco. The latter cause hyperkeratotic lesions in the gums, leading to high production of keratin. It also manifests itself as white, rough and non-painful deposits on the gums.

This is an inflammation caused by a bacterial infection of the gums. The latter first begins with the accumulation of dental plaque .

In the absence of treatment, it will gain ground and weaken the gums. This will result in the development of painful gingivitis symptoms , for example a painful abscess which can be very uncomfortable for the patient.

Note that the more sensitive the gums are , the more easily this type of condition can set in. 😷

The gums swell, and a red or white color appears. If nothing is done, gingivitis will progress to the stage of periodontitis , then a gingival abscess or severe periodontitis, which must be treated urgently . This disease has the effect of making the teeth and their roots even more sensitive and promoting the development of plaque. This will cause dental sensitivity to the touch , then gingival retraction , then loosening of the teeth in the long term, until the final stage; the loss of one or more teeth.

So gingivitis corresponds to the early stage of more serious gum diseases, and it is important to know how to recognize gingivitis from periodontitis . 🏥

The first warning signs are rather easy to recognize, including the fact that the gums bleed when brushing (at least more than usual if you are already subject to this problem).

However, it is possible to reduce the risks of this disease by knowing the foods to avoid to prevent periodontitis.

It also happens in almost all cases that there is more or less significant gingival inflammation , characterized among other things by swelling at the level of one or both gums, and in cases where the inflammation is the further, gum pain which we will try to soothe as much as possible by strengthening our gums and adopting the right actions to keep your normal gums healthy. notably. 🤕

Oral lichen planus is an autoimmune disease based on chronic inflammation. It specifically attacks the skin of the mouth. It can cause symptoms such as gum pain , bleeding and inflammation. Above all, it leads to the emergence of white plaques on the surface of the gums, tongue and mucous membrane.

This disorder generally appears in individuals showing a certain attitude of continuous and repeated stress also linked to oral pain . Immunocompromised people and patients undergoing intense treatments are also at risk of contracting oral lichen planus. 💊

Sometimes white gums have nothing to do with oral health. In fact, anemia is also manifested by the discoloration of tissues and various organs including the gums. So, when the latter is no longer supplied with oxygen, due to a drop in healthy red blood cells in the blood, it can change color. Thus showing a white appearance which suggests an oral condition. Which is not the case in this specific situation. 🌬

A dental abscess is the result of a bacterial infection which may or may not be painful. Located on the gum, it develops in the event of a tooth fracture or decay (this is why cavities should be avoided at all costs ). 💥 It is generally accompanied by facial swelling, fatigue and fever. However, it is the cause of white lumps that appear on the gums.

Symptoms of this disease can vary depending on its source. Generally speaking, it results in whitening of the teeth, sometimes followed by pain and/or bad breath. In the case of gingivitis, there is swelling of the gingival wall . Additionally, bleeding may result from this bacterial infection. In the long term, gingivitis leads to serious cardiovascular and renal complications. ❤️‍🩹

In the case of anemia, the main symptoms to look for are:

• Tiredness,

• Dizziness,

• Weakness,

• Irregular heartbeat,

• Shortness of breath,

• Headaches and hands and feet.

As for oral lichen, its symptoms are quite similar to gingivitis. These include pain and bleeding . It is therefore only a medical examination that can indicate the exact source of white gums. 🩺

To treat white gums, you must first know the source of the problem. The treatment used will depend on the cause of the condition. 🤔

• When it is a yeast infection, treatment should consist of the use of an antifungal medication.

• For oral lichen planus, the patient must take corticosteroids.

• Gingivitis requires improving oral hygiene or taking antibiotics.

• In the case of anemia, the patient must follow appropriate treatment.

• Regarding the dental abscess, surgical intervention followed by treatment with antibiotics is required.

• Hyperkeratosis is treated by following a detoxification treatment.

Remember that white gums can cause severe pain in most cases. It is therefore appropriate to resort to a treatment which first soothes the patient's pain.

In newborns, teething can also cause whitening of this part of the mouth. 👶 In this case, the ideal is to seek advice from a pediatrician to relieve it.

There are some preventive measures to avoid white gums . First of all, you have to take oral hygiene very seriously. For this, you must consult a dentist regularly for analyzes and cleanings. Brushing at least twice a day or after each meal is essential to avoid the accumulation of plaque and tartar . 🪥

Your toothbrush should be soft and flexible to avoid injury. Do not hesitate to use a well-chosen mouthwash to eliminate the bacteria causing various gum diseases. 🧪 It is also recommended to avoid oral care products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.

Learn to manage your emotions to reduce stress. Finally, you need to pay attention to your diet and stay away from tobacco.