Why Has My Gum Turned White?

In daily life, when the gums turn white, it is often associated with conditions such as anemia, oral ulcers, or lichen planus with bleeding. In some cases, it may be caused by gingivitis. For gingival pallor symptoms caused by different factors, attention should be paid to treating them according to specific situations through topical or oral medications to restore the gums to normal as soon as possible.

1. Anemia: When all the gums in the lower jawbed turn white, accompanied by symptoms such as white nails and conjunctival pallor in the eyelids, it is likely to be anemia. These patients should go to the internal medicine department for blood tests and specific diagnosis and treatment.

2. Oral Ulcers: Localized gingival pallor with one or several small elliptical or circular ulcerated areas indicates the presence of oral ulcers. White patches appear first on the inflamed and swollen mucosa, followed by ulceration centered on the white patches. Round and elliptical ulcerated wounds on the gums can cause severe pain.

3. Lichen Planus: The presence of white reticulated or branch-like stripes may indicate the presence of lichen planus. If white patches develop on the gums, it can also cause local gingival pallor.

4. Gingivitis: Poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing teeth regularly or failing to rinse the mouth after eating, can lead to the accumulation of food debris and the formation of hard dental calculus. This can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, which may lead to gingival pallor.