Intra-oral hyperpigmentation

What it means

Increased pigmentation, either focal or generalized, of the mucosa of the mouth.

Pigmentation of alveolar ridges is common in people with dark skin pigmentation. This term encompasses a range of pigmentary findings, from freckles to generalized hyperpigmentation.

Rare diseases that can present with this4

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Dark color of gums · Dark colour of gums · Gingival hyperpigmentation · Gingival melanin pigmentation · Hyperpigmentation of oral mucosa · Oral mucosa melanin pigmentation · Oral racial pigmentation · Pigmented gums