If you are concerned about gum disease, it’s important to know what healthy gums look like. Our Surrey dentists explain how to tell healthy gums from unhealthy ones based on appearance.
Colour
While most people have pink gums, healthy gums can actually come in a variety of shades, some quite light pink, and some darker, more toward brown or even black. Darker coloured gums are more common in individuals with darker skin tones, as you may expect.
Gums that are bright red, white or unnaturally black may indicate that gum disease is present. In particular, if your gums seem to have changed colour, it may be a sign of a problem.
Texture
Healthy gums are firm, and if you poke them with your finger, you won’t be able to move them around. They also fit tightly around your teeth.
Unhealthy gums can look puffy and are more malleable than healthy gums, often soft and somewhat tender to the touch. They may also appear to be pulled back or away from the teeth.
Healthy gums do not bleed during brushing or flossing. If you notice that your gums bleed during brushing and flossing, it could be a sign of gum disease.