Having white spots on your gums can seem strange. While most times, it should resolve after a few days, sometimes, it can be a symptom of something serious.
These spots may be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain or discomfort. It is essential to see your dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
What Causes White Spots On Gums?
1. Canker Sores
These are also known as mouth ulcers. They develop on the soft tissues of the mouth and around the gums. The ulcers are coin-shaped, the edges are red with a white or yellowish center.
The cause of canker sores is not clear, but they may be triggered by injury or irritation of soft tissues of the mouth, vitamin deficiencies, stress, or autoimmune disorders.
2. Trauma and Friction
Trauma and friction from poorly fitting dentures or sharp edges of fillings can cause white spots on the gums. This is called frictional keratosis.
3. Oral Thrush
This is a fungal infection that is caused by an overgrowth of the Candida albicans in the mouth. Candida is part of the normal flora of the mouth but it can accumulate more in babies, older adults, or people with suppressed immunity.
People with uncontrolled diabetes, HIV or who are taking certain antibiotics are also more likely to get the infection. It shows up as creamy white or yellow lesions on the gums, tongue, the roof of the mouth or inner cheeks.
4. Chemical Irritation
Irritation from harsh chemicals and some dental hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash can also present as white spots on gums. Smoking also causes white patches on the gums and roof of the mouth (smoker’s keratosis).
5. Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is a condition that turns part of the gums and other parts of the mouth white. These white patches are thick and cannot be scraped off with a toothbrush. The cause is not known but smoking and the use of other tobacco products have been shown to play a big role in its formation.
Ill-fitting dentures, long-term alcohol use and suppression of the immune system are the other causes of this condition. Most cases of leukoplakia are benign, but some can be precancerous.
6. Oral Lichen Planus
This is an autoimmune condition that involves inflammation of the soft tissues in the mouth. It causes white, lacy patches on the gums and inner cheek. These white patches may not cause discomfort but they may develop into red, raised patches or open sores.
Associated Symptoms
Apart from the obvious white spots on the gum, there may be other associated symptoms like:
- Pain that interferes with eating and drinking
- Bleeding gums when brushing or eating
- Tingling or burning sensation before white spots are seen
- Redness of the gums
- Loss of taste
- Gum swelling
- Cracking or bleeding at the corners of the mouth
Diagnostic Tests
Before a treatment plan is recommended by your dentist, a diagnosis has to be made and this is done by:
- Asking you some questions to understand the onset and nature of the spots
- Visual examination of the white spots
- Blood tests
- Biopsy: Your dentist may take a small sample from the gum tissue and send it to the laboratory. This is done to enable proper diagnosis in cases of lichen planus or leukoplakia to check for cancer cells.
Treatment
Treatment of white spots on gums depends on the cause.
- Minor cases of canker sores typically clear within 1 to 2 weeks without any treatment. Major sores often require treatments like analgesic ointments and gels, pain-relieving medication, warm salt water rinses. Oral steroids like prednisolone can be used to treat severe cases.
- Smokers and people using other tobacco products will be advised to stop as these contribute to the development of leukoplakia. The white patches may be removed with a scalpel, laser, or frozen off. Other causes like ill-fitting dentures or faulty fillings need to be adjusted by the dentist.
- There is no cure for oral lichen planus as it is an autoimmune disease. The aim of treatment is to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life. These include the use of corticosteroids for inflammation and analgesic gels to reduce pain.
- Antifungal medication is prescribed for oral thrush and it is available as a tablet, lozenge, or rinse.
- Other causes like uncontrolled diabetes and HIV need to be properly reviewed by a physician.
- White spots due to chemical irritation from aspirin burns and other harsh chemicals would resolve in a week or two. Warm water and salt rinse, analgesic gels and vitamin C supplements can also help to reduce pain and facilitate healing.
Preventing White Spots On Gums
The best way of preventing white spots on gums is to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily with a medium or soft textured toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing and using a mouthwash that contains fluoride.
Other preventive methods are:
- Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleaning (scaling and polishing)
- Eating a well-balanced diet and limiting the intake of refined sugar and alcohol.
- Avoid smoking and use of other tobacco-containing products.
- Addressing underlying health conditions like HIV and diabetes promptly.
She was raised in London, practiced dentistry in the UK and holds dental licensure from both the United Kingdom and the USA.
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