Dark gums can be unsettling, particularly when you notice a new black patch or a change around one tooth. But what does it mean when gums are black? The answer depends on whether the colour is long-standing natural pigmentation, a change within the gum tissue or something dark sitting on the nearby tooth.
Gums can naturally range from pink to brown or much darker shades. However, a new, changing or unexplained dark area should be examined rather than assumed to be harmless.
Naturally Dark Gums Can Be Normal
Melanin, the pigment responsible for colour in the skin and other tissues, can also affect the appearance of the gums. Some people naturally have brown, dark brown or almost black pigmentation. This pigmentation may be:
- Evenly distributed
- Present in patches
- Stable for many years
- Unrelated to oral hygiene
Long-standing colour that has not changed is different from a new dark mark. The history of the change is therefore often more useful than the colour alone.
Is the Black Colour Actually on Your Tooth?
This is an important distinction. Sometimes people asking what is the black stuff on my teeth believe the gums have changed colour when the dark material is actually sitting along the tooth near the gum line. Possible explanations include:
- Surface staining
- Calculus or hardened deposits
- Tooth decay
- A dark dental restoration
- A specific type of extrinsic black stain
Black bacterial staining can appear as a line or clusters of dark dots around the cervical part of the tooth, close to the gum margin. It is an external form of discolouration and should not automatically be mistaken for decay. Where deposits and external staining are contributing to the darker appearance, Hygienist treatment may help remove plaque, calculus and surface staining.
What Are Black Marks on Teeth?
What are black marks on teeth? They can have several causes, which is why the location and pattern matter. A dark line on the surface may be external staining. A rough, hardened deposit near the gums may be calculus. A black spot that involves the tooth itself may be associated with decay.
Black staining and tooth decay should not be treated as the same problem. Research describes a distinct form of black extrinsic staining associated with chromogenic bacteria and dark deposits near the gum line.
For a detailed explanation of removable stains and dark deposits, see how to get rid of black stains on teeth.
Inside of a Tooth is Black
If the inside of a tooth is black, the problem is unlikely to be a simple surface stain. Internal discolouration can occur when the tissues inside a tooth have been damaged. Trauma, deep decay and infection can affect the pulp, which contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. Changes within the tooth can eventually make it appear grey, brown or very dark.
The tooth may change colour long after an injury, so you may not immediately connect the problem with a previous fall or blow to the mouth. If the pulp has been significantly damaged or infected, Root canal treatment may be required in suitable cases to treat the inside of the tooth and preserve the remaining structure.
My Crown Fell Off and My Tooth is Black
The tooth beneath a crown may already have been darker before the crown was fitted. Old restorative materials, staining or changes within the tooth can also affect its appearance. However, a newly visible dark area may also need to be checked for decay or damage to the remaining tooth structure. Avoid attempting to glue the crown back yourself.
Teeth Turning Black Suddenly
Teeth turning black suddenly should be taken seriously, particularly when the change affects one tooth. A colour change may appear sudden because it has only recently become noticeable. However, a tooth can also darken following trauma, infection or significant internal damage.
Pain is not always present. In fact, a damaged pulp may eventually become less sensitive even though the underlying problem remains. Our guide to why are my teeth turning black? explains the difference between surface staining and colour changes originating inside the tooth.
Can a Cracked Tooth Be Black Inside?
A crack can become stained, but more serious damage may also allow bacteria to reach the internal parts of the tooth. If the pulp is affected, the tooth may gradually change colour. The crack itself and the health of the tooth need to be assessed separately. A dark line should not simply be polished away without determining how deeply the damage extends.
My Tooth is Black and Hurts
A tooth that is black and hurts needs prompt dental assessment. Pain may occur when decay, infection or damage has reached deeper structures. You may also experience sensitivity, pain when biting or swelling around the tooth or gum. The treatment depends on the cause. A surface stain does not cause a toothache in the same way that decay or pulp damage can. Pain relief may temporarily reduce discomfort, but it does not treat the underlying problem.
When Should You Have Dark Gums or Teeth Checked?
Arrange a dental assessment when you notice:
- A new black or dark patch
- A spot that is growing or changing
- A dark tooth accompanied by pain
- Swelling or bleeding
- A persistent sore
- A tooth becoming progressively darker
- A dark area around a crown or damaged tooth
The Location of the Colour Changes the Answer
Dark gums, black marks on teeth and a tooth that has turned dark from within can look similar in a mirror but require completely different approaches. Natural gum pigmentation may need no treatment. Surface staining may be professionally cleaned. A dark tooth caused by internal damage may require restorative or endodontic treatment. So, what does it mean when gums are black? The colour alone is not the answer. Understanding exactly where the colour is coming from, and whether it is changing, is what determines what should happen next.
