Small white spots on gums – also known as Candida Albicans, is a fungus that is present in everybody. In a healthy body the fungus is kept in control by friendly bacteria.
However, antibiotics, birth control and other drugs reduce and weaken the friendly bacteria, allowing Candida to flourish.
The fungus releases wastes into the bloodstream creating a variety of symptoms including thrush, white spots on gums, food cravings, excessive allergies, diaper rash, and vaginal infections.
Another condition that causes white spots on gums is leukoplakia, which means literally “white plaque,” and is found anywhere in the mouth, on the gums, inside the cheek, on or under the tongue, on the roof of the mouth or below the lips.
These spots can be tiny or as large as a quarter; they are not cancerous but could indicate a pre-cancerous condition arising from chronic irritation. Leukoplakia is also seen in smokers because of the chronic heat irritation from the cigarette or pipe.
Many people have commented that tooth whiteners cause their gums to turn white. It is important to note that this effect will happen when any kind of bleaching gel with hydrogen peroxide gets into contact with the gums.
You can daub vitamin E liquid onto the affected area to encourage speedy healing, although the “bleached gums” and soreness is temporary.
If you want to avoid the white spots on gums, and you don’t mind spending several hundred dollars for professional whitening, then having an in-office treatment might be your best bet, especially if you have a history of tooth sensitivity and gum problems.
Apart from the strictly “in-office” treatments, some dentists do a first treatment with an extremely strong bleaching solution, and then give you a kit with a weaker solution to use at home.
Finally, one dentist is offering a complete home teeth whitening kit that is stronger then most home solutions, is completely safe, and provides the kinds of results you would normally only see by going to the dentist.
It’s called the TheraBrite Plus Deluxe Whitening Kit.
White Spots and Your Newborn
When your newborn yawns or cries, you may notice little white spots on the roof of the mouth, usually near the center. These small collections of cells are called Epstein’s pearls, and along with fluid-filled cysts sometimes present on the gums, will disappear during the first few weeks.
Bohn’s nodules are small, whitish bumps or cysts that look like Epstein’s pearls, but they develop on the sides of the gum ridge rather than the roof of the mouth.
Inclusion cysts are small bumps that appear on the sides of the gum ridge rather than the roof of the mouth. To clean your baby’s mouth:
- Place the infant on your lap with his or her head near to your chest so you can peek down straight into your child’s mouth.
- Wipe a clean, moist washcloth along the baby’s upper and lower gums to clean them.
- Do this at least twice a day – once after breakfast and once after the last feeding of the day.