Qurat Ul Yasmin (Pharmaceutical Review). Number of metallic salts acts as a systemic poison.
Arsenic poisoning results in gingivitis and stomatitis. There may be hyper keratosis, hyperpigmentation and neurological disturbances.
Lead poisoning: leads to excessive salivation,metallic taste,swelling of salivary glands and a dark line along gingival margin. microscopically the lead line consist of granular pigment deposit in perivascular areas of submucosa and the basement membrane. Pigment is lead sulphide.
Bismuth poisoning: results in metallic taste, burning sensation of oral mucosa and a bismuth line and occurs with gingival margin in patients with poor oral hygiene. Microscopically, granular deposit of black pigment is seen in submucosa.
Metallic mercury poisoning leads to tremors and emotional instability. Oral manifestation leads to increased salivation, stomatitis, glossotitis and swelling of salivary glands. In some cases black gingiva is seen.
Silver contact produces argyria. Skin and oral mucous membrane acquire an ashen grey hue. Microscopic section show a deposit of fine black granular pigment in the sub epithelial connective tissues
Phosphorus poisoning: results in osteomyelitis of maxilla and mandible.