You take good care of your teeth and gums. They’re healthy and 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 embarrassed about them at parties or whenever you speak in public. Is there any way to get rid of these ugly purple teeth? And how can you make sure this problem never happens again? Keep reading to find out more about purple gums.
Why Do I Have Purple Gums?
Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless film that forms on your teeth. It contains bacteria and can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. A lot of the time, you won’t notice dental plaque before it has spread onto other parts of your mouth or you’ve had bad breath for a while. Once dental plaque has formed, it can harden into tartar (also known as calculus). Tartar sticks to the teeth even when we brush and floss regularly. Over time, tartar can lead to gum recession (the loss of tissue from the roots), which leaves blotchy spots on the gums that are often purple or red because blood vessels have been exposed. This is called gingivitis.
How Did My Mouth Get So Bad?
You might think that your gums are fine because you brush twice a day and use mouthwash, but there are a few things that can cause what’s called periodontal disease. You probably know that plaque is an accumulation of bacteria on the surface of your teeth and gums, but did you know it can also lead to periodontal disease? Plaque constantly tries to break down the lining of your gums, which can lead to inflammation and weaken the attachment between gum tissue and teeth. Bad oral hygiene only worsens this problem by allowing plaque buildup to stay on your teeth for longer periods of time. But just because you brush twice a day doesn’t mean that plaque is gone from everywhere!
My Dentist Never Said Anything About This Problem:
Most dentists will have a conversation with you about your gums at each visit, but if they don’t, or if you’ve never been to a dentist before, this might be an important warning sign. You could have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the most common type of gum disease. It happens when plaque builds up around your teeth and irritates your gums until they turn purple and begin to recede from your teeth. If left untreated, the disease can cause bone loss and eventually lead to tooth loss. Early detection is key! Contact your dentist as soon as you notice any signs of blotchy gum lines.
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Will These Marks Ever Go Away?
The marks you’re seeing on your gums are called erythema, and they can be caused by a variety of factors. Some people find that their gums become more inflamed or irritated when they consume certain foods or do certain things to their teeth like the brush too hard. You might also see blotches on the gums if you have a disease like anemia, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
That said, there are steps you can take to try and make them less noticeable. For example, when brushing your teeth, try using a softer toothbrush and use gentle strokes instead of aggressive scrubbing motions. Consider changing up your toothpaste because some toothpaste contains abrasives that may irritate the gum line over time. If this doesn’t work for you, talk with your dentist about treatments he/she may recommend (such as bleaching agents) or other ways to improve the appearance of this area around your smile
What Can I Do About My Purple Gums?
The blotchy spots along your gumline are called peri-oral erythema, and they’re a sign of inflammation. Many things can cause this kind of inflammation, including the bacteria that live in your mouth. There are a few ways to tackle the problem. For starters, you can try using an alcohol-free mouthwash twice daily for two weeks to kill off some of these bacteria and get rid of any lingering bad breath. Another option is switching to a toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) for one month, as this ingredient is known for irritating the gums. This may not be so easy if you have sensitive teeth or an oral sensitivity to SLS but it’s definitely worth a shot!