There are plenty of teeth whitening clinic services available all over the country. This is not surprising, considering that people with teeth stains have become more and more common nowadays. But how do you know which kind of clinic will work best for you and your needs? How do you know that they wouldn’t just make things worse instead?
-Apply cold compresses or ice packs to your gums for 15 minutes at a time, several times per day. This will help numb the area and reduce swelling and pain. -Drink plenty of water so that your mouth stays moist. Dry air will make the burn worse! -Apply a mild pain reliever every four hours if necessary (but don’t exceed recommended dosages).
Read on to learn more about How Ttreat Burned Gums From Teeth Whitening, Talk To Your Dentist About Tooth Whitening Products and Why Do My Gums Burn After a Tooth Whitening?
How Ttreat Burned Gums From Teeth Whitening
If you’ve ever used teeth whitening treatments, you know that they can be incredibly effective. However, burning gums is a side effect that many people experience after using them. Here are some tips on how to prevent your gums from burning during your next teeth whitening session.
Try the Right Toothpaste
One of the best ways to avoid burned gums when you’re teeth whitening is to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps protect your teeth and gums from any sort of damage or infection. It also keeps your mouth clean and healthy so it’s less likely for bacteria or other substances to irritate your mouth while you’re working on improving its appearance.
Use Ice Cubes
Another trick for preventing burned gums during teeth whitening is to use ice cubes in between applications of your bleaching gel or strips. This will help keep blood flow to your gums at a high level and prevent any sort of damage from occurring during the process.
Teeth whitening procedures are relatively painless and give you a brighter, more attractive smile. These days, you don’t even have to visit the dentist to get a whiter smile. At-home kits are readily available at your local supermarket.
Furthermore, ask anyone — would you rather go to the dentist for a root canal or a teeth whitening? No matter who it is, the answer is probably the same.
What most people don’t realize is that not everyone walks out of a teeth whitening pain-free. If this sounds like your experience — maybe you have a burning sensation around the gums or tooth sensitivity after treatment, we have some advice for you!
Learn more here about how to manage any pain associated with your teeth whitening and how you can prevent it from happening in the first place.
Why Do My Gums Burn After a Tooth Whitening?
The hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening products may cause your gums to burn. It’s is one of the main ingredients in the products you can buy on the shelves and relatively safe to use. Still — for many people, too much exposure to the gums will lead to sensitivity or pain.
At-home teeth whitening strips or gels that don’t fit right may end up exposing hydrogen peroxide to the gums for a prolonged period of time. Rushed or poor application of these products may also lead to exposure. The gums then become sensitive and may even burn.
There are a few steps to avoid burning your gums during teeth whitening.
First, make sure that you are using the right shade of whitener for your needs. The product should be a shade lighter than your natural smile. You can always go darker if you find yourself having trouble with stains, but going too light can cause problems as well.
Second, wait at least 24 hours before applying the tooth whitening agent again. This will give your mouth some time to heal from any possible burns or irritation caused by the first session of treatment.
Third, use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth after each treatment session for best results in preventing gum burns.
If your gums burn after using tooth whitening products, you might want to consider how long the products are in your mouth and how much hydrogen peroxide is in the product.
Low-peroxide products can reduce irritation and burning. That is — use products containing up to 10% hydrogen peroxide. Strips that are better suited to your teeth may also limit exposure.
Why Are My Teeth Sensitive After a Tooth Whitening?
Gums are not the only part of the mouth affected by tooth whitening products. Tooth sensitivity may also occur. Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, along with longer application times, may also be the culprit here.
This is very common – more than 3 out of 4 people (78%) experience sensitivity after a whitening treatment. Sensitivity may only last for up to 48 hours after whitening, but those 48 hours can still be a pain.
Manage sensitivity after a tooth whitening by:
- Brushing and flossing every day
- Using a fluoride treatment before or after whitening
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Switching to a sensitivity toothpaste
- Reducing acidic foods and drinks (coffee, sugar, processed foods) in your diet
- Limiting cold and hot foods in your diet
- Taking over-the-counter medications (Advil, Aleve) to reduce pain
If sensitivity persists, take preventative measures instead:
- Reduce the frequency or length of application time of whitening treatments
- Switching to low-peroxide treatments or products
Talk To Your Dentist About Tooth Whitening Products
A teeth whitening procedure can be a wonderful way to brighten your smile and improve your self-confidence. However, what many people don’t realize is that the process of teeth whitening can also cause gum irritation and other dental problems if not done properly.
If you have recently undergone a teeth whitening procedure, you may notice that your gums have become swollen or red. This is an indication that you are experiencing some form of gum irritation. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to treat burned gums from teeth whitening and get back to enjoying your bright new smile.
What Causes Burned Gums From Teeth Whitening?
The most common cause of burned gums from teeth whitening is overuse of the bleaching agent trays or strips. When these products are used too frequently or for too long, they can actually irritate the sensitive tissues in the mouth, resulting in burns on the gums and lips. If this happens during treatment sessions with a dentist or dental hygienist, it may be possible to stop using the product until the burn heals so that no further damage occurs. However, if you use over-the-counter bleaching kits at home without professional supervision, it may be necessary
Most of the problems from tooth whitening products come from the products themselves. Still, the best alternatives may not be in the tooth care aisle of your local grocery store.
Dentists may also be able to suggest tooth whitening treatments suitable for in the office or at home. Whitening products suggested by your dentist may have more powerful whitening ingredients or formulas to fight sensitivity.
Talk to your dentist about what products you are using to whiten your teeth. They may have tips for applying the product, how to prevent pain and irritation, and alternative treatment options.