Multifocal Pigmentation (MP) occurs when the color of your gums and oral mucus membranes are darker than the rest of your teeth. MP can also affect the coloration of your tongue and lips, depending on the cause and severity of the condition. People often assume that MP indicates gum disease, but this isn’t true; although MP may be indicative of some dental issues, it doesn’t affect oral hygiene or your overall health in any way.
What Is Multifocal Pigmentation?
The condition, also known as melanosis, is caused by an increased amount of melanin in tissues. Since melanin has a dark pigmentation, it often causes dark spots on oral mucus membranes and gums. While not life-threatening, it is something that can affect your self-confidence and your social life if you don’t know how to approach it. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to get rid of multifocal pigmentation without turning to invasive procedures or tooth-bleaching methods. In fact, all of these techniques come with only minimal side effects and may even be covered under your dental insurance plan! So what exactly are those steps? Keep reading below to find out more!
Why Does Multifocal Pigment Appear On My Teeth?
The multifocal pigment is actually a natural occurrence in your teeth and gums and is not as rare as you might think. In fact, most people have some degree of pigmentation on their teeth; however, in some cases, it can become more noticeable than in others. The distribution and intensity of multifocal pigment on your teeth vary greatly from person to person; while many people have only one or two dark spots on their teeth (that are typically covered by a toothbrush), other individuals may have extensive dark patches that are visible even when they are clean. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about your multiple areas of pigment deposition – but we do offer an array of aesthetic services to help brighten your smile and gain more self-confidence when talking to those around you.
What Causes This Condition?
There are a number of common causes of multifocal pigmentation in people. Aging, genetic predispositions, and taking certain medications are some of them. Cancer treatments (particularly chemotherapy) can also cause darker pigments to form on your gums and oral mucus membranes. However, if you’re noticing signs and symptoms of multifocal pigmentation in your mouth but haven’t undergone cancer treatment recently or have no family history of it, you may want to speak with your dentist about other possible causes.
How Do I Know If I Have It?
Multiple pigmented areas of your gums and oral mucus membranes can be a sign that you have multifocal pigmentation. Other symptoms include foul-smelling breath, gum irritation, and bleeding. If you have any of these signs, it’s important to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible. They will work with you to determine whether or not a professional cleaning is sufficient, or if they should refer you to a dermatologist who can perform a biopsy on affected tissues.
Is There Anything I Can Do About It?
In order to decide how you want to get rid of your multifocal pigmentation, you need to think about what goals you have. If you are an athlete and your goal is to improve your performance and fitness level, it would be helpful if we talked with a professional athletics coach. If becoming more self-confident is a priority then we would recommend consulting a psychologist or counselor. Finally, if your main goal is to look like everyone else then you might prefer removing it by cosmetic means alone. However, there are side effects associated with all three choices so please make sure to do some research on each option before deciding what course of action works best for you.
If I Want To Get Rid Of It How Will I Go About Doing So?
Though some people choose to remove pigmented tissue, there are many reasons not to do so. For example, removing tissues with pigmentation can make it more likely that they will become darker over time. It is much easier to maintain or minimize darkly pigmented gums and oral mucus membranes than it is to remove them. The key to maintaining a bright smile is keeping your gums healthy, which you can do by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups.
Am I Going To Be Able To Get Back My Original smile?
Discoloration of teeth is one of the most common reasons patients seek treatment. Many patients who have darkened teeth want to know if they’ll be able to get back their original smiles. The short answer? Yes, you will! At first glance, it may seem as though the discoloration of teeth can never be fixed; that color changes are permanent and unchangeable.
Will This Affect My Appearance Or General Health In Any Way?
Contact a dentist or physician immediately. In rare cases, darkening of gums and mucus membranes could indicate gum disease, tooth decay, or even cancer. More often than not, however, darker pigments on teeth/gums/mucous membranes are either entirely normal or cosmetic in nature (e.g., teeth whitening has caused more cases of pigment discoloration than anything else). Nevertheless, if you notice something strange happening to your teeth/gums/mucous membrane areas—and especially if it’s accompanied by pain or inflammation—go see a doctor immediately; it could save you from a much larger health crisis down the line.
What Should I Do If I Notice Something Strange Happening With My Teeth/Gums/Mucous Membrane Areas?
If you notice something strange happening with your teeth, gums or mucous membrane areas, it’s important to visit a dentist right away. If you’re not sure what to do, ask someone in your family or check out a local dental school and schedule an appointment with a resident.
