What causes a painless change in gum color?

Question

Hello doctor,

My gums look different suddenly. I noticed a change in color, and it concerns me if it is a serious thing to worry about. There is no pain, and I am not a smoker. I do not know what to do. Currently, I am taking Clindamycin 300 mg and Celecoxib 20 mg. Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the images (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) enclosed. Since you do not smoke, you are unlikely to have any dangerous or precancerous conditions as such associated with a color change in the gums. So there is nothing to worry. Our gingiva has a scalloped appearance or contour rather. When the healthy gingiva, which is gum flora, is affected, then this scalloped contour undergoes various physiologic changes. Females especially will be prone to hormonal fluctuations, age-related changes, and a lot of gingival turbulence. I have seen all three images, and after analysis, I can conclude that your gum contour is affected, and you need a deep dental cleaning.

If you are very worried or you have suddenly noticed a change in your gum contour appearance, I would suggest you try lukewarm salt water rinsing several times a day, five to six times, approximately for a week or 15 days. Also, get deep dental cleaning done, and the gum contour will improve because of this eventually. Use an extra soft toothbrush, and do not aggressively brush over the color change area. Because of the antibiotics you are taking; there may be slight changes in the color and gingival contour, which is normal. If you notice a vivid change in the color in only one particular segment of the gums, then you need to go for a detailed surgical opinion from a maxillofacial surgeon in a dental clinic.

It looks quite normal as a variation. Also, another main instruction for you is to please avoid any kind of hot, hard, or spicy food for the next two weeks. If you want to massage your gums over this area, then Metronidazole oral gel or Dentogel (Choline Salicylate and Lidocaine) or Dologel-CT (Choline Salicylate and Lidocaine) will definitely help set back the color or contour if it is just a physiologic change. If the variation in color persists past two weeks, then please get an in-clinic examination of the gingiva from the maxillofacial surgeon.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at icliniq.

Thank you.