What Causes a Black Gum Line Around the Tooth?

What Causes a Black Gum Line Around the Tooth?

Everyone wants a smile they can be proud of. A smile is often your first impression to anyone and everyone you meet, and if you have embarrassing teeth and gum issues your smile may be putting out the wrong impression. One potential issue is dark lines that show through your gums and are visible around your teeth. If you have a black gum line surrounding the tooth, it is indicative of a larger dental problem. So what causes a black gum line around the tooth?

An Aging Crown

Dental technology is constantly evolving. As time goes on, the technology and materials used for dental procedures get better and better, and this is especially true for crowns. The black gum line you see surrounding your teeth may be because you have a very old crown in your mouth. Older crowns feature an outer porcelain cover and an inner metal core, and as the crown gets older the metal begins to become exposed through the porcelain. That makes the metal visible through your gum lines, creating the black gum line. The simple solution to this issue is extracting the old crown and placing a new, more modern dental crown.

Receding Gums

If you have a lack of healthy gum tissue around your teeth or crowns, you may have a receding gum line. Receding gums appear as dark or yellow lines that surround the teeth that can be very unattractive. Gum recession is usually accompanied by teeth sensitivity as well. Depending on the severity of your gum recession, there are a variety of different treatments. If your gums have receded so drastically that the roots of your teeth are exposed, a gum grafting procedure to cover the roots may be necessary. If so, not only will this give you strong and healthy gums that have no dark or yellow lines, but also will strengthen any of your affected teeth.

Loss of Bone and Gum Tissue

Dark lines around the gums can sometimes be the result of a loss of bone and gum tissue. If you are suffering from both bone loss and gum tissue loss, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. This is a very serious issue that can lead to other health complications and requires treatment immediately, so make an appointment with your dentist today.

Black Gum Line Treatment at University Dental in San Diego

If you see a dark or black gum line around your teeth, no matter what the cause you should see a dentist. A black gum line is indicative of a larger issue with your oral hygiene, and the only way to resolve the issue is through a dental procedure. University Dental in San Diego can help, offering outstanding treatment from our team of dental experts. Make an appointment with University Dental today by calling (619) 582-4224

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