What causes dark spots in the mouth? How are they treated? When should you see a doctor for a dark spot in your mouth? Get the answers to these questions and more.

Causes of Dark Spots in the Mouth

There are several possible causes of dark spots or discoloration inside the cheek or mouth. Some of the most common include:

Blood Blisters

Blood blisters are raised, fluid-filled bubbles that appear dark red or purple. They can develop due to accidentally biting the cheek or as an allergic reaction.

Amalgam Tattoos

Amalgam tattoos occur when small metal fragments from dental fillings get trapped in the gums or cheek, causing dark spots. These are harmless and do not require treatment.

Smoker’s Melanosis

Smoking can cause brown or black pigmentation to develop in the mouth and throat, a condition known as smoker’s melanosis. While not harmful, the underlying smoking habit can lead to serious health issues.

Oral Melanoma

In rare cases, a dark spot in the mouth could be a sign of oral melanoma, a type of skin cancer that develops in the mouth. These spots are typically raised, asymmetric, and have irregular borders.

Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease, an endocrine disorder, can cause darker areas to appear on the skin and inside the mouth, along with other symptoms like fatigue and weight loss.

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

This rare genetic condition can cause dark freckles around the face and in the mouth, as well as polyps in the digestive tract.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you notice a dark spot in your mouth, it’s important to see a doctor or dentist for an evaluation. They will perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and may order additional tests to determine the cause.

For harmless conditions like blood blisters or amalgam tattoos, no treatment may be necessary. Over-the-counter pain medication can help if the spot is causing discomfort.

For more serious conditions like oral melanoma or Addison’s disease, treatment will depend on the underlying cause. This may involve surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone replacement medications.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Most dark spots in the mouth are harmless, but it’s important to monitor them and seek medical attention if:

• The spot is painful, swollen, or bleeding
• The spot is asymmetric, has irregular borders, or is changing in size or appearance
• You have other concerning symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or digestive issues

Catching potentially serious conditions like oral melanoma or Addison’s disease early can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes. Don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about a dark spot in your mouth.

Prevention and Risk Factors

While you can’t always prevent the development of dark spots in the mouth, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Quit smoking or using other tobacco products
• Practice good oral hygiene, including regular dental check-ups
• Avoid biting or injuring the inside of your mouth
• Manage any underlying medical conditions, such as Addison’s disease or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

Certain factors, like smoking, dental irritation, and genetic conditions, can increase the likelihood of developing dark spots in the mouth. Paying attention to your oral health and seeking prompt medical attention for any concerning changes can help ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

Key Takeaways

Dark spots in the mouth can have a variety of causes, ranging from harmless conditions like blood blisters to more serious issues like oral melanoma. It’s important to have any unexplained spots evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment, if necessary.

Remember, while many dark spots in the mouth are benign, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention, especially if the spot is changing or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps to maintain good oral health, you can help ensure any potential issues are identified and addressed promptly.

Pictures, causes, treatment, and when to seek help

Black spots inside the cheek can have several causes, such as blisters or hyperpigmentation. In rare cases, they may indicate something more serious, such as mouth cancer.

Many harmless conditions can cause a black spot to develop inside the cheek. Often, there will be no other symptoms, and it will improve without treatment.

Rarely, however, a black spot inside the cheek may be a symptom of oral melanoma. This is a rare type of cancer.

The American Cancer Society estimate that just over 54,000 people will develop mouth or throat cancer in 2021. Melanoma usually accounts for 0.5% of all oral cancers.

This article will examine some potential causes of a black spot inside the cheek. It will also look at some treatment options and when a person should contact their doctor.

Blisters are raised bubbles on the skin with fluid inside. They can occur anywhere on the body, including in the mouth.

Blood blisters contain blood and appear dark red or purple. They may develop in the mouth due to accidentally biting the cheek or as a result of an allergic reaction.

Learn more about blood blisters in the mouth here.

Treatment

Blood blisters are not typically harmful, and they will often heal without treatment.

Sometimes, however, they may cause pain or discomfort. In these cases, a person can use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medication.

Amalgam tattoos occur when metal fillings leak, causing dark marks to appear inside the mouth.

These marks can appear when a dentist places or removes a filling and tiny metal fragments fall between the teeth.

They most commonly appear on the gum or cheek, near the amalgam filling. However, they can appear anywhere in the mouth.

Treatment

Amalgam tattoos do not cause any symptoms or require any form of treatment.

Smoking can cause smoker’s melanosis. This is a condition wherein brown or black pigmentation develops inside the mouth and throat.

Treatment

This condition is not harmful, and it does not require treatment.

However, the tobacco smoke that causes these spots is harmful to various areas of the body. For example, smoking can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and mouth cancer, as well as several other conditions.

Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-making cells, or melanocytes, that typically affects the skin. However, these cancers can also occur on mucosal membranes, such as in the mouth.

Oral melanoma usually appears as a raised area that has a black, brown, or dark blue appearance. These marks can be asymmetric with an irregular border.

There may also be swelling, if inflammation is present.

One 2020 article notes that oral melanoma is not related to sun exposure. Healthcare professionals are unsure about what the risk factors may be, but they may include:

• dental irritation
• cigarette smoking
• alcohol consumption

Treatment

The main treatment option for oral melanoma is surgery. A healthcare professional may also recommend radiation therapy.

Addison’s disease is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands, which are the glands on the top of the kidneys, do not make enough of certain hormones. These include cortisol and aldosterone.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases note that Addison’s disease can cause the development of darker areas on the skin and inside the mouth.

Other symptoms can include:

• chronic fatigue
• muscle weakness
• abdominal pain
• weight loss
• appetite loss

Treatment

Treatment for Addison’s disease will include hormone replacement medications. People can take a corticosteroid, such as hydrocortisone, to replace missing cortisol. They will take an oral tablet two or three times per day.

To replace aldosterone, a person can take fludrocortisone to help balance the amount of fluid and sodium in the body.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes dark freckles to appear around the face and inside the mouth. It may also cause mushroom-shaped tissue growths called polyps to develop throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome can also cause other symptoms, including:

• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• rectal bleeding
• digestive issues

Treatment

There is currently no cure for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. However, treatments may involve surgically removing any polyps that are causing gastrointestinal problems.

A doctor or dentist will perform a physical examination of the black spots to determine the cause. Also, they will likely ask the person whether or not the spots are painful or have any accompanying symptoms.

A doctor may also check a person’s medical history for any signs of genetic conditions, such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, that could be the cause. They might also review the person’s dental records for the presence of metal fillings.

Depending on their assessment, a doctor may also order additional tests to make a firm diagnosis. For example, they might require a blood test or skin sample for further analysis.

Many causes of black spots inside the cheek, such as amalgam tattoos, are harmless.

Although no medical treatment is necessary for some causes of a black spot in the cheek, a person should contact a doctor about any sore or spot that lasts for longer than 3 weeks.

If the black areas develop sores or ulcers, these could be symptoms of mouth cancer. Early detection of mouth cancer is crucial for successful treatment.

There are many possible causes of black spots inside the cheek. For most people, these spots will cause no additional symptoms and will not require treatment.

Some people may require OTC treatments for causes that cause pain, such as blood blisters. Other causes, such as mouth cancer, will require medical treatment.

Although black spots inside the mouth may be harmless, it is worth contacting a doctor about persistent cases. They can help determine whether the spot is harmless or requires further care.

Causes Of A Black Spot Inside The Cheek

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Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications

Looking in the mirror and seeing a black spot inside the cheek can be alarming, but is it something serious? The good news is that a dark spot inside your cheek is probably harmless. Consider these possible causes and see your dentist for a definitive diagnosis.

Amalgam Tattoos

If the spot inside your cheek is dark blue, gray or black, it could be a leakage from a dental filling. Amalgam tattoos aren’t the permanent ink decorations on your skin that you can have done at a tattoo parlor. Amalgam is the silvery substance that your dentist uses to fill cavities, and it’s made from a mixture of tin, zinc, mercury, copper and silver. Sometimes, after a dentist has filled a tooth, the filling mixture leaks, leaving behind a flat, painless dark spot that doesn’t grow or change shape.

According to Brigham and Women’s Hospital Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry, amalgam tattoos are permanent, but they don’t cause any harm. If the mark is inside your cheek, it’s unlikely anyone will see it. However, if you think the spot looks unsightly, speak with your dentist about removal options.

Smoking

Smoking can leave dark stains inside the cheeks and other areas of the mouth, such as on the gums. This condition is called smoker’s melanosis, and according to a study in Case Reports in Dentistry, approximately 22 percent of smokers may notice this kind of discoloration in their mouths. It occurs when the tobacco stimulates excessive melanin deposits on the inner lining of the mouth, resulting in a darker pigmentation.

While the condition is benign, patients should keep the other oral effects of tobacco use in mind and consider quitting.

Other Causes of a Black Spot Inside the Cheek

When you see a black spot inside your cheek, you may immediately be concerned that it is cancerous. Rest assured that this is not likely the case, and that treatment may not be necessary.

The Oral Cancer Foundation lists several causes of dark spots inside cheeks that aren’t related to cancer. For example, the inner lining of your cheek may just be patchily pigmented. You could have a benign melanotic macule, which is a spot similar to a freckle that can appear in the oral cavity. Alternatively, if you have put pencils in your mouth in the past, the graphite may have become embedded in your mouth lining, creating a dark spot.

Very rarely, a black or dark spot on the inside of the cheek could be a sign of oral malignant melanoma or another type of oral cancer. For this reason, it’s always worth seeing your dentist if you notice an abnormal spot in your mouth that doesn’t go away, bleeds or grows larger. Your dentist can diagnose the cause of the black spot through an examination, and they may take a sample to send for analysis.

Maintaining a good oral health routine can reduce your fears about a black spot inside your cheek. As well as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day, regularly check inside your mouth to make sure your gums and the lining of your cheeks look healthy. Report any concerns or symptoms to your dentist, and you can work together to find a solution.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider. 

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Lentigo in animals – Veterinary Clinic IEC “Two Hearts” in St. Petersburg

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Lentigo in animals

Lentigo is a skin defect that is manifested by the appearance of dark spots with a diameter of less than 1 cm on the gums, lips, nose, ears. These spots are nothing more than an accumulation of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin pigment) at the junction of the epidermis and dermis. The causes of the phenomenon have not been established, but the hereditary factor of its development has already been confirmed.

Lentigo is more common in dogs than cats. Cats tend to be carriers of orange, cream or tortoiseshell coats.

Lentigo simplex in cats is considered a congenital cosmetic defect. Most often manifested in cats up to a year.

The lesions begin to appear on the lips in the form of small spots, which eventually increase in size and become more numerous. Usually there are one or more foci. But there have also been cases of generalized lesions in cats (lentigo profus)

In some breeds of dogs, in particular pugs, cases of a hereditary form of lentigo, called “profuse lentigo”, are recorded. This is a genetic disease. Miniature Schnauzers may also be predisposed to this pathology. In pugs, spots initially appear between 1 and 4 years of age. The lesions are at first single, slightly elevated patches that do not itch or bother the animal. They are found on the legs and trunk. Over time, the spots can grow up to 1 cm and merge with each other. In the future, the intensity of staining weakens.

Despite the fact that lentigo does not pose a threat to the health and life of the animal, it is necessary to exclude other skin diseases that can manifest as hyperpigmentation:

• Spots can form against the background of an inflammatory process of various etiologies.
• In places of mechanical friction when a bacterial, viral, fungal component or parasites are attached. In this case, the color of the coat changes, becomes dull.
• In other cases, hyperpigmentation is associated with foci of alopecia (alopecia). In these places, the skin may become dark.
• In animals, as in humans, papillomavirus skin lesions occur. In the initial stages, they can masquerade as hyperpigmentation. The course of the disease is unpredictable. Education can disappear without a trace on its own, or it can develop into a malignant tumor.

If you have any doubts about the health of your pet, it is better to visit a veterinary dermatologist. In controversial cases, the doctor will take a biopsy (tissue sample) from the pathological focus to clarify the diagnosis.

Health to you and your pets!

Veterinary dermatologists IEC “TwoHearts”

Ananyeva Nadezhda Vyacheslavovna and Koltanyuk Olga Sergeevna

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Zhukova Irina Petrovna

Date of publication: 24.11.2020

Date of update: 18.07.2022

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Why white or black spots and dots appear on the tooth enamel, how to get rid of them?

A smile is one of the most striking manifestations of positive emotions in a person. And its beauty largely depends on how the teeth look, how even they are, correctly positioned and, of course, on the color of the tooth enamel. And the most unaesthetically look areas of the tooth surface, painted differently from the neighboring ones. In this article, we will tell you how such pigmentation defects appear, as well as what methods of their elimination modern dentistry offers.

Why do tooth enamel discolorations occur?

The most common cause of such changes is the destruction of the uppermost layer of the tooth shell. This violation is considered as the first stage of caries. The reason for the formation of a carious stain is the effect on the tooth enamel of the acid waste products of the bacteria that inhabit our oral cavity. The discovery of such a spot or point is a reason to contact specialists. After all, at the earliest stage of development of caries, in most cases it can be stopped very simply, without painful and lengthy procedures.

In addition, the cause of dark age spots on the teeth can be:

• poor oral hygiene. This leads to the formation of soft, and then hard plaque, which eventually turns into tartar;
• diseases of the digestive system that disturb the acid-base balance in the mouth;
• long-term use of certain pharmacological drugs;
• occupational hazards.

Yellow spots on the teeth are a characteristic sign of a smoker who neglects oral hygiene. Such a specific shade occurs due to the deposition of nicotine contained in tobacco on the enamel. Local darkening of the tooth surface is often the result of the abuse of strong black tea, coffee, red wine and other drinks that have a coloring effect.

In children, brown spots and dots on the teeth sometimes indicate calcium deficiency – a dangerous disorder that can also affect the correct formation of the entire musculoskeletal system of the child. Also, changes in the color of the enamel are one of the symptoms of fluorosis – a pathology caused by an excess of fluorine that enters the human body through tap water. In this case, pigmentation disorders can have a very different severity and shade – from black to whitish.

Finally, chalk-like spots on the teeth are an indicator of enamel hypoplasia, the cause of which is a violation of the normal balance of minerals in its composition.

Can you solve this problem yourself?

Traditional preventive measures will help prevent the appearance of color defects:

• good oral hygiene with brushing teeth twice a day;
• correct selection of toothpaste;
• mouth rinse after each meal;
• reduced consumption of simple carbohydrates: confectionery, pastries, fast food, sugary carbonated drinks, etc.
• preventive visits to the dentist for the timely removal of hard plaque and tartar.

But if spots or dots on the tooth enamel have already appeared, a visit to the dentist should not be postponed. It will not work to remove them on your own, here you will definitely need the participation of a specialist.

Methods for eliminating pigmentation disorders depend on the cause that caused them:

• with a carious stain, it is enough to remineralize the enamel by treating it with special solutions;
• also remineralization will help with congenital enamel hypoplasia;
• if areas of a different shade are plaque or tartar, the dentist will carefully remove it, and then apply a protective fluoride varnish;
• chemical, photo and laser bleaching will also help to even out the shade of the tooth surface;
• Finally, teeth can be covered with veneers or crowns.

The appearance of spots and dots on the teeth is always a symptom of a disorder that can have a variety of negative consequences. Therefore, the discovery of such a pigmentation defect should be the reason for an early visit to the specialists. Only a professional will be able to determine the cause of the discoloration of the enamel and take the correct measures to eliminate it.