What causes a black spot on my gum?

Question

I brush my teeth twice a day. I use proxide to rinse. I am a smoker. The spot is about the size of a pencil eraser. It does not hurt and none of my teeth hurt. What could it be?

Answer 1

What Is It?
An amalgam tattoo is an area of gray or blue coloring caused by silver (amalgam) filling particles that have become embedded in soft tissues in the mouth. Amalgam tattoos can also appear on the tongue and the roof of the mouth (palate). They are flat and usually quite small — only a few millimeters — but relatively easy to see. Sometimes, these tattoos can be seen on dental X-rays.
A tattoo can be created while your dentist is placing or removing fillings or crowns that contain metal. It can also occur during many other dental procedures, including tooth extractions or root canal treatment. It also can occur over time. For example, a filling on the outer side of a tooth can make contact with your inner cheek, and particles from the filling can rub off over time.
Amalgam tattoos are quite common, although many people don't even know they have them.
These tattoos are not dangerous and will not cause you harm. However, a small percentage of gray/blue areas are not amalgam tattoos. These other lesions can be precancerous and need to be seen by a specialist. If a gray/blue area grows larger or changes color, it should be evaluated by a specialist immediately.

Symptoms
There are no symptoms of an amalgam tattoo. In most cases, you won't even know you have one. They usually are found during a dental cleaning or a routine screening for oral cancer.

Diagnosis
Your dentist will diagnose an amalgam tattoo based on your history (whether or not you have silver fillings or had them in the past) and by looking at the spot. Certain types of dental X-rays can be taken to help diagnose amalgam tattoos. Your dentist may refer you for a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis if the area shows signs of being an early cancerous lesion rather than an amalgam tattoo. In a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed and examined in a laboratory. Biopsies are common if the area has grown larger or changed color over time — for example, from gray to black.

Expected Duration
An amalgam tattoo is permanent unless it is surgically removed.

Prevention
Your dentist can reduce the chances that an amalgam tattoo will form by using a rubber dam — a flat piece of latex that isolates specific teeth from the rest of your mouth. Using a rubber dam, however, does not guarantee that an amalgam tattoo will not occur.

Treatment
If you or your dentist finds a small gray area in your mouth, a dental X-ray should be reviewed for evidence of metallic particles. The areas should be measured and watched over time to see if it grows larger. If the area gets larger or changes color, a biopsy should be done. If the biopsy shows precancerous or cancerous cells, you should have treatment to remove the lesion. If the area turns out to be an amalgam tattoo, further treatment isnot necessary, unless the tattoo is on the edge of your lip or somewhere else that makes you feel self-conscious. Talk to your dentist about having the tattoo surgically removed for cosmetic reasons.

When To Call a Professional
If you notice a gray or blue area on your gum or cheek, mention it the next time you visit your dentist. If the area seems to be growing or changing color over time, call your dentist immediately to have it checked out. Your dentist will probably refer you to a specialist for a biopsy.

Prognosis
Because amalgam tattoos do not cause harm, the outlook is excellent. Treatment is not necessary, and most people never even notice them.

In response to Gumhelper advice on Peroxide. Peroxide doesn't hurt to rinse with. We used this to clean periodontal surgery sites. We used a 1:1 ratio with Listerine...you could try that. Don't forget to floss at least once a day...

Answer 2

Hi,
Oh, do I love these questions! I feel there could be two reasons for this, "black spot". First one is if in the area of the black spot, do you or did you have any silver fillings in a tooth/teeth? If you did or do, sometimes what happens is the liquid from the silver filling leaks out(this is normal if it happens) and stains the gum tissue. This is called, "an amalgam tatoo" I have seen this many, many of times. No need to worry. But on the other hand, you are a smoker and I have also seen mouth cancer start this way. I dont want to scare you, but the best way to figure this out is to make an appointment with a general dentist asap! Good luck and call a dentist right away.
ps..... Please, dont use peroxide to rinse your mouth out, it can cause severe tissue burns on the tissues of your mouth. (white sluffing)

Answer 3

I would set an appointment and not panic at this point. Does she also have a lot of moles.... and is she fair complected or more olive complected? I am a red-head and covered with freckles and moles... I have had them on my lips and gums. My dentist generally refers me to a dermatologist (which I see anyway because I have lots of freckles and moles) and the dermatologist will decide if there is a reason to biopsy or just remove it. I have had three biopsies for mouth spots and none have been cancer... I have had several spots removed by an oral surgon both on my lips and gums for appearance reasons and there are a few spots that I leave alone in my mouth... It's good to pay attention to every part of skin including the inside of the mouth, ear cannels, scalp and any place we can see a change in the skin. If the dentist feels there isn't a reason to see a dermatologist I would see one anyway.... as people prone to have spots on their bodies and inside their mouths should just make it a part of ordinary health anyway....

Answer 4

go see a doctor/dentist soon

Answer 5

you should go to a dentist, i am sure it isnt healthy for you to have that, go get it checked out, could be from smoking to much