One of the most common signs of gum disease is dark pink or red gums. While discoloration is a dangerous indication that something is wrong, your gums shouldn’t be devoid of color either. When our Smiles of Arcadia dentist’s patients ask us, “Are my gums supposed to be pale?” the answer is always no. Pale gums may mean that you are suffering from an undiagnosed condition.
Are My Gums Supposed to Be Pale?
Keep reading to learn what pale gums could mean for you and what you should do if you notice the symptoms of pale gums. You should schedule an appointment with our dental experts ASAP!
Causes of Pale Gums
In order to further understand how pale gums can be treated, let’s look at the biggest causes of pale gums. Underlying conditions or causes can include:
- Menopause
- Oral lichen planus
- Leukoplakia
- Anemia
Many of these conditions indicate a lack of iron and other essential vitamins and nutrients within the body. When these nutrients cannot be supplied to the gums, they will turn pale and receive less blood. These conditions, such as anemia, can also be caused by external medications used to treat other diseases. Those undergoing chemotherapy may suddenly become deficient in nutrients and resources needed to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Associated Symptoms
In addition to paling gums, you may also notice other symptoms that are causing pain or discomfort. It is important that you tell your dentist about your oral health problems as quickly as possible. Call your trusted expert if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Swollen or painful gums
- Fever
- Loosening and missing teeth
- Trouble swallowing
- Metallic taste in the mouth that won’t go away
- Increased face and jaw pain
- Constant bad breath
- Receding gum lines
- Tender gums
- Constantly bleeding gums
- Hormone imbalances
Based on the specific causes and symptoms surrounding your pale gums, your dentist may prescribe a specific treatment to bring you back to good oral health ASAP.
Best Treatments for Pale Gums
The treatment that your dentist will prescribe to you depends on what is causing your condition in the first place. If your gums are paling due to anemia, you may be prescribed iron pills and other supplements to add nutrients to your blood. Other more serious conditions may require a visit to your heart health doctor for integrated treatment.
As you are invested in a treatment option for your underlying condition, you should also make a plan for the improvement of your oral health. Healthy gums should be pink, but not too pale or too dark. At Smiles of Arcadia, we recommend a daily oral health routine to get your dentistry needs back on track.
Preventing Gum Problems
Want to keep your gums healthy? You should invest in a good dental hygiene routine. Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day; ideally, you will brush your teeth once in the morning and once at night. You should also try to floss once a day to get rid of food particles in between your teeth. Anytime you eat something high in sugar or teeth-staining ingredients, brush your teeth as soon as you can.
Most importantly, you should schedule regular visits to your dentist’s office at least twice per year. This can help you stay on the lookout for oral health issues that can be stopped before they get worse.
Upgrade the Health of Your Gums Today
Pale or darkening gums are a sign that something is wrong. Get to the bottom of your underlying condition and seek out professional gum disease treatment with our professionals at Smiles of Arcadia today. Help us put your dental health back in your hands. You deserve to save your smile!
