Can Teeth Whitening Damage Gums?

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 chemically treated.
The best results include home treatments, but in office treatments have their place as well.

To help you find the right trays that do not damage you gums simply visit a reputable cosmetic dentist. Once the trays are made, try them in with no whitening gel and if this experience is without any discomfort or abrasion/soreness then the trays fit well enough. They may still not be tight enough. The way to work this out is to use them with whitening  gel. In the morning when you wash them out, the gel should still be sticky and not washed out. Further your gums should look normal, or in some instances, better than normal. Good luckThomas Dey, BDS, MSc

I have never seen a situation where teeth whitening using properly fitting trays caused any damage to the gums.  Sometimes the trays are overextended, going beyond the teeth and onto the gums.  This, improperly fitting bleaching trays, will much more likely cause problems with the gums than properly fitting trays.  The over extended trays can cause mechanical irritation to the gum tissue, and it can also deliver bleaching gel directly onto the gums, causing some minor and temporary irritation.  Before your dentist gives you the bleaching trays and bleaching get, he/she should check the fit of the bleaching trays to insure that you don't develop a problem during bleaching.  The dentist should also give you instructions on how to remove any excess bleaching gel that may get onto your gums.

 

 

Custom bleaching trays should be properly made and patients should be properly trained as to how to use the whitening gel in order to avoid gum irritation. If the bleaching gel touches the gum tissue during the whitening treatment, this can cause temporary burning and irritation to the gums. However, this is not permanent and will go away after couple of days.

 

A well fitting tray and caution not to let bleaching gel touch the gums will prevent gum burning and irritation.

 

 

 

Your gums can be damaged with using whitening products in an incorrect manner.  The best way to whiten your teeth is to have it done professionally.  Over the counter products are not customized for each individual, sothere is a higher risk of problems.