Can teeth whitening damage gums?

I want to get my teeth whitened but I’m scared of hurting my gums. I’ve heard the bleaching can cause permanent damage. What’s the best choice to take for whiter teeth that doesn’t require weeks of treatments at home?

3 answers to “Can teeth whitening damage gums?”

A: Temporary discomfort only

Lance Timmerman, DMD

Like many inventions, bleaching teeth was discovered as a by product of TREATING gums.  While the concentrations have been altered, hydrogen peroxide is very good for the gums.  People reporting negatively about gums being affected are merely reporting the temporary discomfort after tissue is... more

A: Gums and Teeth Whitening

Gursh Bajwa, BDS

Accurately fitting trays are crucial to ensure that the gums are not affected with the teeth whitening gel when home whitening is being carried out. During Power laser whitening your dentist will ensure that the gums are not affected by using a protective barrier.

A: Gum damage from tooth whitening

Richard Champagne, DMD

The material used in take home tooth whitening can actually be beneficial to the gums.  If the tray that the material is placed in is not made properly, then it can irritate the gums, but this is generally a temporary situation. In-office whitening uses a stronger version of the same material. The gums... more

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