Dental Monthly
MARCH 2026 edition #53
What Colour Should My Gums Be?
Well there is no right or wrong colour. Because like our skin, it is determined by our “Phenotype”.
Of course my main concern is with the health of your gums. When I visit with a patient, colour is just an indication, together with a stippling aspect.
Gums generally range in colour from very light pink to rose/cherry red and wine colored. From brick, to chocolate brown or eggplant purple to black pigmentation. It is all normal for many people. So everything goes.
What if the colour of your gums changes together with its aspect ?
That is the moment to visit the Dentist!
I do not like to see these gum colours in your mouth in combination with tissue changes of the gums:
Red/Bright Red: Inflammation, infection, or gingivitis or periodontitis.
White: Potential anemia, vitamin deficiency, or oral candida-infections. Very often seen in heavy smokers.
But they are all easily identifiable and treatable.
On the other hand, I definitely do not like to see these colours, because of their serious implications:
Green = Ulcerating. Not good. Immune deficiency syndrome etc.
White Blu / Grey = Amalgam tattoos or suspect precancerous lesion
Black = Tissue necrosis, often linked to smoking or severe, acute infections like Acute Necrotising Ulcerating Gingivites(ANUG)
When colour changes are both mixed (red/white, dark brown/black spots) and localized (limited to a particular area) it is very important to visit the dentist to understand asap what the origin of the change is.
About the aesthetic aspect of your gum-colour. There are people who bleach their gums because they don’t like the dark aspect, but others do the opposite and want to tattoo them in order to have their teeth look whiter because of the contrast.
In Studio Moll we do pigment removal from the gums with the Laser. A painless, safe treatment without use of any chemical applications, which is not the case with bleaching treatments.
Gum health is determined by its firmness and shape. And I believe that is what we should strive for, whatever your colour is.
So remember to always massage the scalloped outline of your gum while brushing your teeth.
For more information, reach out to Elena at one of the WIN meetings or via her contact info below.
Tune in to Studio Moll’s YouTube channel and here too.
Referral to former issues of Dental Monthly:
https://www.womensinternationalnetworkflorence.it/2025/09/24/i-vape-so-i-am-good/
https://www.womensinternationalnetworkflorence.it/2025/03/07/i-spy-with-my-little-eye/
https://www.womensinternationalnetworkflorence.it/2022/11/02/the-truth-about-swollen-gums/
https://www.womensinternationalnetworkflorence.it/2025/01/12/do-i-have-bad-breath-halitosis/
BIO
Studio Moll Contact Details and Social Media
Whatsapp: 331-6368628 | Tel: 055-755347
www.dental-studiomoll.com | info@dental-studiomoll.com
By Dr. Elena Speranza Moll
Studio Moll
Via Amilcare Ponchielli 21B, 50018 Scandicci –Firenze
Tel: 055-755347
WhatsApp: 331-6362682