Gum Bleaching: What Is It and Should I Get It?
When it comes to the appearance of our smile, the first thing to notice is the color of our teeth. That’s why cosmetic whitening procedures are so popular these days. They can help us achieve a bright white smile that boosts our confidence.
However, our gums are also equally important. Your gums show when you smile. Healthy gums are typically pink and even in tone, but there are certain things that may affect their color. Thankfully, you can restore the color of your gums with a gum depigmentation (gum bleaching) procedure. This can help you achieve pink and healthy-looking gums to complement your brilliant white teeth, giving you a smile that you can be proud of.
Let’s take a look at why our gums discolor, what gum bleaching is and why you might want to consider it.
What Is Gum Bleaching?
Gum bleaching (also known as gum depigmentation) is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that helps to remove black spots and patches on your gums.
In most cases, these patches and spots are often made of melanin, a natural skin pigment that affects the appearance of your eyes, hair, and skin. When your body produces excess melanin, it can often build up in the gums and create dark patches. The presence of excess melanin is more common in certain ethnic groups, such as people of African or Middle Eastern descent. However, it’s important to note that extra melanin in the gums isn’t a sign of poor hygiene or disease. If your gums have always been dark, excess melanin is the most likely cause.
However, you might also experience darker gums due to smoking or side effects from certain types of medication. If you are a regular smoker or have only recently noticed your gums darkening, it could be due to your smoking habits or medication. Lastly, gum discoloration can also occur if you neglect your oral health. Frequent brushing of the teeth and gums can help improve the appearance of your smile. Failing to do so can increase the risk of infection and inflammation which will cause staining and negatively affect the appearance of your gums.
What Does Gum Bleaching Involve?
Gum bleaching is a precise treatment that involves advanced laser technology. Dr. Rinaldi and his team will use a laser to target discolored patches in your gums. The laser will remove the excess melanin and create a more uniform and attractive appearance. The laser only targets the areas of excess melanin and is precise enough so that it doesn’t damage healthy-looking gums.
Gum bleaching with advanced laser technology offers a number of unique benefits.
- It’s minimally invasive: This means there is no surgery or additional tools required apart from the laser.
- Almost no recovery time: You’ll be able to use your teeth and gums normally without special considerations after gum bleaching.
- Causes little discomfort: Despite the use of an advanced laser, your gums will feel almost no discomfort.
- Extremely safe: With experts such as Dr. Rinaldi, you’ll have peace of mind knowing the procedure is safe, controlled, and in good hands.
- Immediate results: Your gums will look and feel healthier immediately after the procedure. There’s no wait time before you can start seeing results.
Is Gum Bleaching a Permanent Procedure?
If dental hygiene, smoking, or medication is the cause of your gum discoloration, it will return unless changes are made. This involves brushing and flossing at least twice a day, staying up-to-date with dental appointments, and limiting sugary and acidic foods. You’ll also need to limit your exposure to tobacco to avoid further discoloration of your gums.
However, if excess melanin production is the cause, then gum bleaching is a great solution with permanent results. You’ll be so happy with the results, you won’t believe your eyes.
Does Gum Bleaching Hurt?
Gum bleaching is a minimally-invasive procedure. Though the use of advanced laser technology may sound daunting to some, Dr. Rinaldi is an expert and the procedure is very safe and controlled. As such, the process will cause little discomfort and there’s almost no recovery period. After the procedure, you’ll be able to return to your regular activities without issue.
However, you may experience slight discomfort if your gums are damaged or sensitive due to existing oral health conditions. Before the procedure, our team will examine your oral health to determine if gum bleaching is safe for you. In most cases, there will be no complications. In the rare case that there will be problems, our team will notify you and explain the next steps.
Where Can I Get Gum Bleaching?
Gum bleaching is offered by cosmetic dentistry specialist Dr. Rinaldi. If you’re considering booking an appointment for gum bleaching, get in touch with our team today to learn more. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions and concerns that you may have.
Before booking your gum bleaching appointment, we suggest a thorough examination of your oral health. This will help us find the cause of your discolored gums. If the cause is poor oral health, we may suggest a thorough cleaning before undergoing gum bleaching.
