What to Do when Gums Peel and Blister After Teeth Whiting

When teeth whitening products get on your gums, they turn white and the surface sloughs off.  Although not pleasant to look at, it is a minor form of damage that often heals in less than a day.  Most teeth whiteners are a form of peroxide.  When you place peroxide on your skin to clean a cut, the surface turns white.  The speed and severity of this white effect is dependent on the strength of the peroxide.  

When having professional whitening in the dental office, customized trays and special materials are used to protect the gums from this effect.  The control the application of the peroxide to tooth surface only.  Over the counter whitening products use a one-size-fits-all approach and so the peroxide product more frequently reach the gum surface.

When using whitening strips, be sure to apply them only to the tooth surface leaving a little space above the gums.  When using trays, place only enough whitening gel to coat the surfaces of the teeth without squeezing out onto the gums.  These tricks will help avoid this kind of minor damage.

Even though you are frightened, your  gums are not damaged.  They have been exposed to the bleach and are burned and blistered.  They will heal and be fine and you will have no permanent damage.  To aid in healing we recommend you apply vitamin E  to them,   Make sure the next time you use bleach at home or in a dental office, the bleaching trays  fit well over the teeth and your gums are protected from blistering. I am so sorry this happened to you because it is not only painful but frightening!  You will be fine!