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Smoker's Melanosis
Smoker's melanosis is brown gum and cheek pigmentation linked to tobacco use. Learn how it differs from melanoma and how quitting affects the colour.
Updated 24 May 2026
Oral Melanotic Macule (Focal Melanosis): A benign brown spot in the mouth
Melanotic macules are flat brown spots in the mouth caused by harmless extra melanin. Here's how dentists tell them apart from melanoma and when biopsy matters.
Updated 24 May 2026
Oral Malignant Melanoma: A rare but aggressive cancer of the mouth
Oral malignant melanoma is a rare, aggressive pigmented cancer of the mouth lining. Learn the warning signs and why early biopsy is critical.
Updated 24 May 2026
Amalgam Tattoo: When amalgam particles stain the gum
Amalgam tattoos are harmless grey-black spots from dental amalgam particles. Learn how dentists tell them apart from more serious oral pigmentation.
Updated 24 May 2026
Addisons Disease (Oral Pigmentation): When the mouth turns brown
Addison's disease can show up first as brown patches in the mouth. Here's why oral pigmentation matters and what your dentist will look for.
Updated 24 May 2026
Drug-Induced Oral Pigmentation: When medications darken the mouth
Some medications such as minocycline, antimalarials and chemotherapy agents can cause brown or grey-blue oral pigmentation. Learn the patterns. Reviewed by Dr Cristian Dunker.
18 May 2026
Physiological Oral Pigmentation: A normal harmless brown colour of the gums
Physiological oral pigmentation is a normal symmetrical brown colour of the gums and mouth lining seen in many people with darker skin. It is harmless. Reviewed by Dr Cristian Dunker.
18 May 2026