Soothe Your Smile: How to Treat Burned Gums After Teeth Whitening

Consumption of teeth-staining foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene, and smoking can lead to teeth discoloration. Stained teeth affect your natural smile and your confidence. When you visit the dentist who performs teeth whitening near you, they will explain that there are different teeth whitening options.

One of them is in-office teeth whitening while the other is at home. It is recommended to visit the dentist’s office near you for in-office teeth whitening. This is because the dentist can examine your teeth, treat any oral problem and proceed with the treatment. Moreover, the dentist will cover your gums during teeth whitening.

Most of the time, at-home teeth whitening leads to burning your gums due to the whitening solution. What should you do when this happens? Keep on reading to learn.

What Causes Burned Gums After Teeth Whitening?

Some at-home teeth whitening products include whitening strips, gel, trays, rinses, and whitening toothpaste. Usually, whitening toothpaste does not contain any bleaching agent but assists in brightening your teeth by eliminating stains. Therefore, you’re less likely to experience a burning sensation when you use whitening toothpaste.

On the other hand, other at-home teeth whitening products contain hydrogen or carbamide peroxide: the bleaching agent used in teeth whitening. This solution is the culprit for gum irritation. The reason being your gum has soft tissues that easily get irritated by the chemical concentration of the bleaching agent.

However, if used in the right measure, you will only experience a mild sensation that might only last for a day.

Signs and Symptoms of Burned Gums

• Inflamed gums.
• White spots on your gums.
• Gums turning white.
• Gum irritation- feeling discomfort in your gums.
• Tooth sensitivity may accompany burned gums.

How to Treat Burned Gums from Teeth Whitening

• Use a warm and cold compress- applying a warm and cold compress at different intervals can help alleviate pain caused by burned gums. When applying a cold compress, wrap an ice pack in a clean cloth and place it over the burned side of your cheek. On the other hand, a hot compress is made by dipping a clean cloth in hot water, but not scalding hot. After that, wring out excess water and place the cloth over your mouth where it’s aching.
• Herbal paste- you can make your herbal paste and spread it along your burned gums. Some of the recommended ingredients to use are cloves or turmeric. Turmeric has properties that reduce inflammation and protect your gums from gum disease.
• Tea bags- green or black tea can help reduce inflammation caused by the bleaching agent. Dip the tea bag in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Next, let the tea bag cool and place it on the inflamed gums.
• Salt water rinse- salt water rinse is known for its inflammation qualities. Moreover, salt gets rid of bacteria in your mouth. All you have to do is mix a tablespoon of salt in warm water and rinse it for a minute before spitting it out.

Tips for Preventing Burned Gums After Teeth Whitening

• Read instructions on the teeth-whitening product label- it might seem a no-brainer when it comes to teeth whitening, but each teeth-whitening product is different. Be it whitening trays or strips, ensure you’ve read the instructions and understand what they mean. If you’re unsure about anything, looking for a dentist who performs teeth whitening in Highland Village would be best. The dentist will be able to take you through the application process.
• Don’t whiten your teeth daily- teeth whitening products are abrasive. Although you may desire to achieve your goals quickly, taking your time is essential. So, don’t use teeth whitening products daily. They can easily erode your tooth enamel causing tooth sensitivity and leaving your teeth prone to decay and harmful bacteria.
• Reduce consumption of acidic beverages and foods- acidic foods and drinks can worsen gum irritation and sensitivity. Therefore, it would be best to remove acidic drinks and foods from your diet during the teeth whitening treatment.
• Visit your dentist before at-home teeth whitening- your teeth may be prone to teeth or gum sensitivity. Without the help of a dental professional, teeth whitening may amplify these symptoms. Therefore, visiting Campbell & Williams Family Dental is essential. The dental professional will examine your teeth and provide tips on how to whiten your teeth without causing too much gum irritation.