5 Common causes of pale gums that should not be underestimated

Healthy gums should be a shade of pink - appear slightly lighter around the teeth and darker at the floor of the mouth. If the color of the gums turns pale, this may indicate a problem with your health condition that cannot be underestimated. What are the causes of pale gums?

Various causes of pale gums that need to be checked by a doctor

1. Anemia

Anemia occurs when the body lacks healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. When one organ in the body doesn't get enough oxygenated blood, it can turn pale - including the gums.

Apart from pale gums, anemia can also be characterized by various other symptoms such as:

• Excessive tiredness.
• Pale or yellowish skin.
• Headache.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath.

Anemia is caused due to a deficiency in iron, folate, or vitamin B12. In addition, various health problems can also cause anemia such as excessive bleeding, liver and spleen disorders, hypothyroidism, and genetic disorders.

Eating iron-rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables and meat helps treat anemia. But for more details, you should check your health condition with your doctor. Your doctor may also prescribe a blood booster for you.

2. Leukoplakia

treatmd.org/mouth-white-patches/white-patches-in-mouth-oral-cancer-causes-symptoms-treatment-home-remedies/

Leukoplakia is white patches on the inside of the mouth including the gums. Usually, these white spots make the gums look pale. Not infrequently, these white spots can also be mixed with red spots that cannot be lost if cleaned.

Doctors don't know the exact cause, but the various risk factors for leukoplakia are smoking, drinking alcohol, and people who do not maintain proper oral hygiene.

Leukoplakia is not always dangerous, but it can also be a sign of cancer if it is both red and white at the same time. Therefore, do not underestimate this if you notice discoloration in the gums and the area around the mouth. Immediately consult a doctor to find out the cause.

3. Menopause

At menopause, the body experiences high hormonal changes. These hormonal changes can usually reduce blood flow, causing the gums to be pale and dry, so they bleed easily. Gum infection that occurs during menopause is called menopausal gingivostomatitis.

Usually, this condition can be treated with the help of hormone therapy. In addition, if gingivostomatitis occurs due to fungi then you will usually be prescribed a topical anti-fungal cream such as nystatin or clotrimazole.

4. Oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus is a chronic condition that affects the mouth as white threads that appear slightly and develop throughout the mucous membrane of the gums. To diagnose this condition, the doctor will perform a biopsy, which is by taking a small piece of tissue from the affected area. Erosive oral lichen planus will usually cause open sores that can be treated using topical or systemic corticosteroids.

Since there is no specific treatment for oral lichen planus, your doctor will advise you to live a healthy lifestyle to reduce the severity of your symptoms. Eating healthy food, maintaining oral hygiene, exercising regularly and quitting smoking are various habits that you need to apply every day.

5. Vitamin K deficiency

Vitamin K is a type of vitamin that helps the blood clotting process. If you are deficient in vitamin K, you may experience bleeding uncontrollably and cause symptoms similar to anemia, one of which is pale gums.

To recognize it, here are the various symptoms that appear if you are experiencing vitamin K deficiency:

• Bruises.
• Pale skin.
• Gag.
• Seizures.
• Dark stool.

The body always gives a signal indicating its overall health condition. Therefore, do not underestimate the slightest hint that the body gives, including one through the discolored gums.