The teeth whitening process is basically a oxidation process from here comes the gums problems and burning. The teeth whitener products release free oxygen that penetrate the tooth to reach the deep stains that lies inside the inner tooth layers. When oxygen react with stain particles it breaks the stain particle producing small lighter in color particles and this is the cause that teeth become lighter in color.
When the whitening gel comes in contact with marginal gum it oxidize the peripheral keratin layer of the gingiva which produce temporary a dead white color and burning sensation. You have to know that sometimes the gum burning is very annoying to the patient but it is not bad as it looks usually it is self repaired within hours with no problems.
There is many teeth whitening systems available today some are professional systems that applied by the dentist others are at home that the patient can apply himself but all of them will produce some degree of gum inflammation and burning. Sure the dentist applied teeth whitening produce the less troubles as the dentist usually uses a isolation system that keeps the material away from the gum but we have to say that complete isolation is very hard sometimes and generally we had a leakage here or there.
For at home teeth whitening systems the gum problems are little bit more annoying as the teeth whitening gel is delivered as a sticky gel loaded on a tray the the patient have to wear over night for 3-5 days, Although the gel is really sticky but it is impossible to isolate it completely from the gum as a matter of fact most of the marginal gingiva is in contact with the peroxide gel.
So how to avoid teeth whitening gum burning??
1-First thin you shouldn’t panic as the gum burning is normal and usually not severe and will heal and restore its normal appearance after hours or maximally a day
2-We have to say that complete prevention of gum burning after home bleaching is sometimes impossible, Generally there will be a little, reversible, self limiting burning but we should try to diminish the degree of burning so we can complete the whitening process to the end.
3-For dentist applied teeth whitening it is the dentist problem and i speak to patient here so he have to solve it himself.
4-For at home teeth whitening:
- You just have to follow the instructions of the manufacturer. DON’T use the tray for a longer period than advised.
- Also you shouldn’t apply excess gel to the tray as this won’t help to have whiter teeth and only will cause more gum burning.
- remove the excess gel with napkins after fitting the tray in place.
- you can also paint Vaseline or any other isolator to the peripheral gum margins with a small brush (ask you wife for a makeup old brush ) but take care not to paint it on the teeth as this will prevent the contact with the gel which will make the whitening not effective.
- Eat yogurt it will help to diminish the discomfort.
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dr A. Galal
practicing dentist
Teeth whitening research candidate
