Who doesn’t want white teeth? But white gums, well, that’s another story. Whether you’ve noticed a few white patches on your gums or all of the tissue looks paler, it’s time to explore the possible causes.
In this post, the team at Nest Dental is diving into why your gums might be white and what you should do about it.
What Color are Healthy Gums?
First, let’s talk about what healthy gums look like. Healthy gums can range from light pink to brown or even nearly black, depending on your skin tone.¹ If your gums are red and inflamed, white or another unusual color, it’s a sign that something is going on.
To be on the safe side, we recommend that you visit your dentist any time you notice a change in the color of your gums or other oral tissues.
At Nest, Dr. Sonia Sahi, General Dentist, can determine whether it’s a cause for concern. If a spot in your mouth does look suspicious, she can perform a biopsy and help you get a diagnosis.
What Does it Mean When Gums Are White?
Here are some of the common (and not-so-common) causes of white gums:
- Irritation or Trauma
Sometimes, gums turn white due to irritation or trauma. This can happen with aggressive brushing, ill-fitting dentures and dental procedures like tooth extractions. If this is the culprit, the tissue will return to its normal color once you heal.
- Teeth Whitening
Why are my gums white around my teeth? Well, if you just did a whitening treatment, that’s your most likely answer. Sometimes, the whitening solution can get on the gums, temporarily changing their color. The good news is that this should resolve itself within a few days.
To avoid this in the future, opt for professional teeth whitening. Your dentist will protect your gums prior to applying the whitening solution.
- Canker Sores
Though canker sores aren’t contagious or a threat to your health, they can be super painful. These sores have white or yellow centers and tend to form on the gums, inside of the cheeks or under the tongue. No one knows the exact cause of canker sores but illness, stress, mouth injuries and other factors can make you more susceptible to an outbreak.
Most of the time, canker sores don’t require treatment and will go away on their own. If they’re persistent or very painful, book a visit at Nest Dental. Dr. Sahi can confirm a diagnosis and provide personalized solutions to promote healing and reduce pain.
- Anemia
Anemia is a medical condition where you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body, including to your gum tissue. This can cause pale or white gums. If you have anemia, you may also experience:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling cold
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
If you suspect you have anemia, make an appointment with your doctor. It’s often the result of nutritional deficiencies, namely a lack of iron or B12, or an underlying medical issue.² The sooner you’re diagnosed and treated, the sooner you’ll regain your energy – and gum health.
- Gum Disease
Gum disease, a bacterial infection of the teeth-supporting gum tissue, could be behind changes in the color of your gums. Generally, when you first develop gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, your gums will look red and inflamed.
However, there is a rare type called acute necrotizing gingivitis. The disorder usually affects teens and young adults with underlying health conditions. With this type of gum disease white spots form on the tissue around and between the teeth. The spots are actually ulcers covered by a grayish-white film. The covering can be scraped off, leaving behind a raw, red surface.³
As for traditional gingivitis, if not treated, it will advance into the more severe form of gum disease, periodontitis. Untreated periodontitis causes bone and tissue loss and, eventually, tooth loss. It can also make your gums look white in some areas.
Seeking professional dental care is crucial when it comes to gum disease. The condition can be reversed when treated early on.
Gum disease treatment options depend on your unique case but could include:
- Professional Dental Cleaning: A dental cleaning, paired with diligent homecare, may be enough to reverse gingivitis.
- Deep Cleaning: A deep cleaning can help remove plaque and tartar buildup that contributes to gum disease.
- Scaling and Root Planing: This non-surgical procedure cleans beneath the gumline and smooths the tooth roots, helping to eliminate harmful bacteria and encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth.
- Surgical Options: In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove damaged tissue or repair the gums.
- Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is caused by a yeast fungus, called Candida. Candida lives in the mucous membranes inside of your mouth. Under the right conditions (e.g., compromised immune system, taking antibiotics, diabetes, etc.), the fungus can grow extremely quickly, causing unpleasant side effects.⁴
This oral yeast infection usually shows up as a visible white coating on the inside of your mouth, including white patches on your gums. You may need medication to treat it.
- Leukoplakia
White patches on your gums could also be leukoplakia. The white patches associated with the condition cannot be rubbed off. They’re usually benign and harmless, however, they can be precancerous, which is why you’ll need a biopsy.
The cause isn’t always known but smoking, alcohol use and a weakened immune system increase your chances of developing oral leukoplakia.⁵
- Oral Lichen Planus
Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts the mucus membranes of the mouth.⁶ The autoimmune condition causes white, lacy patches on the gums, tongue, inside of the cheeks, inside of the lips or on the palate.
It can also lead to open sores and red, swollen tissues. Sometimes, the lesions cause pain and burning. There are a variety of treatment options that can help manage the disease. The symptoms do require monitoring because lichen planus turns into oral cancer in a small number of people.
- Oral Cancer
Though the vast majority of white spots on the gums are benign, white or red patches in the mouth can be a sign of oral cancer.
When found in the early stages, oral cancer is treatable and the prognosis is good. But according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, “Unfortunately, at this time, the majority are found as late-stage cancers, and this accounts for the very high death rate of about 43% at five years from diagnosis (for all stages and etiologies combined at time of diagnosis), and high treatment-related morbidity in survivors.”⁷
It’s not that oral cancer is difficult to detect. Instead, it’s a lack of public awareness. Visiting your dentist for a comprehensive exam every six months is an important way to increase the odds of early detection.
The Bottom Line
The possible causes of white gums run the gamut from minor irritation to oral cancer. While chances are good that the problem is benign and treatable, you should see your dentist for an exam. If it does turn out to be something serious, detecting it early can lead to a better outcome.
Schedule an Appointment With Our Vancouver Dentist
Find out why your gums are white by scheduling a dental exam at Nest. We offer full-service dentistry, including comprehensive exams, oral diagnoses and biopsies and gum disease treatment in Vancouver. Dr. Sahi will get to the bottom of what’s going on and help you get on the path to a healthy smile.
Sources
- Rehab A. Abdel Moneim, Mona El Deeb, Amany A. Rabea,
Gingival pigmentation (cause, treatment and histological preview), Future Dental Journal, Volume 3, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 1-7, ISSN 2314-7180. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S231471801630074X
- Anemia, Mount Sinai Health Library, 2024 Mar 31. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/anemia
- Amy S. Paller, Anthony J. Mancini, Viral Diseases of the Skin, Clinical Pediatric Dermatology, Fifth Edition, Elsevier, 2016, Pages 360-381. E3 ,ISBN 9780323244756.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323244756000157
- Overview: Oral thrush, InformedHealth.org. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, 2006, Updated 2022 Dec 13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK367586/
- Mohammed F, Fairozekhan AT. Oral Leukoplakia, StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024 Jan.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442013/
- Burkhart, N., Oral Lichen Planus, The American Academy of Oral Medicine, 2013 Sep.
https://www.aaom.com/oral-lichen-planus
- The Oral Cancer Foundation, 2024.
