What to Do if you Experience Gum Irritation while using Teeth Whitening Products?
How Teeth Whitening Works?
Teeth whitening products usually use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to promote whiter teeth and a brighter smile. These chemicals break down stains on the surface of the tooth enamel. Toothpaste alone won't eliminate those stubborn stains from coffee and other foods and drinks.
Hydrogen peroxide has a stronger bleaching effect than carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide over time. The latter is perfect for people with sensitive teeth who want to whiten their smile. Most home kits now contain either strips impregnated with the active ingredient or whitening solution or trays that you fill up with whitening gel.
Suppose you want to get your teeth whitened at a dental office. In that case, you can either go in for one visit where they’ll whiten your teeth right then and there, or you can take over the counter products like teeth whitening strips and home teeth whitening kits with custom-fit trays and teeth whitener gel to do it yourself at home so you could achieve a bright smile.
It’s good to get your teeth professionally cleaned before applying any whitening treatments, as plaque and tartar may create a barrier between your tooth enamel and the whitening agents. Also, take note that teeth whitening products will not work on dentures, crowns, fillings or veneers
What Causes Gum Irritation During Teeth Whitening?
You can buy over-the-counter tooth-whitening products like toothpaste and products with whitening agents, such as whitening strips, gels, mouthwashes, rinses, and pens.
Whitening toothpastes typically contain little or no bleaching ingredients but help brighten your teeth by removing stains. Toothpastes without hydrogen peroxide are less likely to irritate or burn the gums if they don't contain hydrogen peroxide. If you use too much pressure when brushing, you might experience some irritation, but the ingredients themselves aren't likely to cause a problem.
Tooth whitening products usually contain either hydrogen peroxide (HP) or carbamide peroxide (CP). Tooth sensitivity is one of two common side effects of using teeth whitening products. However, if appropriately used, the irritation is usually temporary and mild.
During the whitening process, you may feel a chemical burn, but you'll know if your gums develop any white spots or parts of them turn white. Your gums might get inflamed too.
How to Stop Gum Irritation?
If you encounter gum irritation when you whiten your teeth using over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Stop the treatment first: Remove the tray or whitening product. Don't wait until it hurts more before you take action.
After rinsing, use warm salt water to clean your teeth. It helps remove any remaining whitening products and soothes the irritation caused by them.
If you stop the bleaching treatment quickly, the good news is that gum irritation usually goes away within a few days. Saltwater rinsing will help alleviate any discomfort during recovery. Over-the-counter painkillers can help relieve the irritation or burning sensation.