Posted by Gum bleaching has been around for quite some time, but because of its highly invasive nature, it’s not something that you’ll hear many people talk about (or admit to having done). Using lasers, dentists literally burn away an entire layer of the gum tissue in the hopes of getting rid of the melanocytes (which produce pigment…). The pain involved in this procedure was one of the main reasons that many patients decided against it. Thankfully, though, there’s now a much better way to remove those unsightly stains from your teeth while simultaneously causing you less pain — laser gum bleaching!
Why You Shouldn’t Bleach Your Gums?
Bleaching your gums is a bad idea for a variety of reasons. First, it’s painful. It takes a lot of time and laser treatments to get rid of all the pigmentation, and each treatment hurts like hell. Second, it doesn’t always work! Even if you get rid of all your gum pigmentation, the melanocytes can just come back in other places in your body. Plus, once you start bleaching your gums, they’ll be more sensitive to pain — so what’s the point?
Can Bleached Gums Cause Cancer?
Dentists have been able to use lasers to lighten teeth for many years now. However, these days a lot of them are turning to more natural ways of brightening teeth instead of bleaching with chemicals. The idea behind this is that when we’re talking about gum bleaching, it’s not just your gums that are at risk here. Direct contact between bleach and skin can cause damage or irritation which will lead to swelling and even sometimes ulcers or sores.
Furthermore, those same chemical ingredients used in gum bleaching can actually be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). This is because when you’re applying these chemicals on your gums, they will come into contact with your mouth cavity where any mucous membranes can absorb them.
Who Should Avoid Gum Bleaching?
If you’re looking for a quick and easy fix to your teeth’s appearance, gum bleaching is not the answer. Aside from being so painful that it’s been likened to getting your gums scraped with sandpaper, gum bleaching can also cause permanent damage to your gums. If you want whiter teeth, there are several alternatives available that won’t hurt as much and won’t leave you vulnerable to future risks like receding gums or sensitivity.
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How much does it cost?
The best way to find out is to call your dentist. Dentists will charge anywhere from $80-$200 for a gum bleeding treatment. One thing to note: you will have to go back in every two weeks so they can check up on your progress and apply the more bleaching gel.
Why Is It So Popular If It Isn’t Safe?
Gum bleaching is how dentists would try to remove gum pigmentation in the past — the keyword there being tried. Using painful lasers, dentists would literally burn away an entire layer of the gum tissue in the hopes of getting rid of the melanocytes (which produce pigment). But what does it really do? Not much. The procedure is uncomfortable and can result in side effects like tooth sensitivity, gum receding, tooth abrasion, and oral cancer. If you want to get rid of your gingival hyperpigmentation, just brush your teeth more often and avoid smoking.
Summing Up:
It’s understandable to want a whiter smile, but gum bleaching is not worth the pain. To date, dentists have tried a few different ways to get rid of gum pigmentation. The most common solution has been to use some sort of laser that burns away an entire layer of tissue in hopes of killing off melanocytes (which produce pigment). But lasers are painful and can cause lasting damage to your gums, so it’s no wonder why more and more dentists are moving away from this technique.