Gum Whitening in Washington, D.C. and Chevy Chase, MD

If you have dark spots on your gums that affect self-confidence, you might be a candidate for cosmetic gum whitening. The name of the procedure is actually a bit of a misnomer. It doesn’t actually turn your gums white but restores them to their natural light pink color. The results are immediate, often last a lifetime, and can make a major difference in your smile and overall appearance.

For the best outcome to your gum bleaching or whitening procedure, you should have a qualified and experienced dentist perform the work. Preferably, a cosmetic dentist that does many gum whitening procedures every month. Simply put, there is no substitute for experience. At Rinaldi Dental Arts, our award-winning cosmetic dentist has extensive training and experience in gum whitening.

Causes of Dark Spots on Gums

While many dental and periodontal woes are connected to poor lifestyle choices and oral hygiene, dark spots on the gums often occur naturally. They result from excess melanin production at the gum level. Melanin is the skin pigment that causes you to tan following sun exposure. But it can also change the color of the skin in areas you don’t want to get darker, such as your gums.

If you are genetically predisposed to dark gum spots, there is very little you can do to prevent or avoid them. Your best option is to treat them with a permanent solution. Rinaldi Dental Arts offers our gum whitening procedure.

The most common causes of dark spots on gums include the following.

Genetics

Your genes are the most likely culprit for your dark gums. If your parents and grandparents have or had them, you will likely get them at some point, too. Fortunately, even if gum discoloration is written into your DNA, a good whitening procedure can override it!

Ethnicity

Your ethnicity plays a factor in your likelihood of developing dark spots on your gums. As a general rule, the darker your complexion is naturally, the higher the chance of dark gum spots. This is because a dark complexion indicates high levels of melanin.

Dark Gums and Your Dental Health

If you have noticed dark spots on your gums and worry they might be a sign of a serious periodontal condition, breathe easy. Dark gums are typically more of a cosmetic annoyance than anything else. They are also a surface-level malady, generally not indicative of anything harmful happening deep below.

But just because dark gums are not a sign of an infection or an oral disease doesn’t mean they are harmless. Your smile is the first thing people notice about you, and it leaves a lasting impression. If you have dark spots on your gums, it is hard to flash a wide, genuine smile without people noticing. Most patients report that the improved appearance and boosted self-confidence from gum whitening make the minor procedure more than worth it.

How Gum Whitening Works

There are a couple of methods dentists use to whiten gums. The first is a process called microdermabrasion, in which the top layer of skin is physically removed from the gums. While this method is effective, it is more invasive and, in our experience, does not produce the same level of results as our preferred method: laser treatment.

Laser gum whitening is minimally invasive and causes little to no discomfort, both during and after the procedure. Unlike microdermabrasion, laser gum whitening typically does not require the patient to undergo local anesthesia or IV sedation.

Benefits of Gum Bleaching

Here are just a few of the positive effects patients report after having their gums whitened.

Healthier Appearance

A better smile and a more attractive outward appearance are the two most immediate and discernible benefits of gum whitening. Even patients who come into the procedure aware that they’ll emerge with a healthier-looking smile are often shocked at the magnitude of the difference they see.

Increased Self-Confidence

Your smile is your greeting to the world. As a result, when marred by flaws and imperfections, your gums can take a toll on your self-confidence. Patients who undergo gum whitening often report finding themselves smiling more often after the procedure. They can now do it with zero self-consciousness.

Minimally Invasive

With gum bleaching or whitening, you get the benefits of a healthier appearance and increased self-confidence without the risks. Gum whitening is minimally invasive and very safe.

Permanent Results

Best of all, the results of gum whitening are permanent, meaning you don’t have to keep coming back for treatment. The appearance you have following the procedure is what you will have forever.

Contact Rinaldi Dental Arts for Gum Whitening

For more information about gum whitening, call Rinaldi Dental Arts or schedule an appointment online today.