You’ve probably heard of gum bleaching, or perhaps you’ve had it done yourself, but there’s one major thing many people don’t realize about this outdated procedure — it doesn’t work! In fact, most cases of gum discoloration are caused by poor oral hygiene and only respond to good dental practices like flossing, brushing regularly, and seeing your dentist regularly. Let’s talk about why gum bleaching isn’t necessary anymore, how it works and what you should really do if your gums are discolored!
What Is Gum Pigmentation?
Gum pigmentation happens when there’s an overgrowth of the cells that make up the gum tissue. The cells are stimulated by the constant friction caused by hard chewing or brushing, which causes them to reproduce at a fast rate. This excessive amount of gum tissue blocks oxygen from getting to your gums and can cause tooth sensitivity or infection. Gum bleaching was the only option in past decades, but with improvements in laser technology, this outdated procedure is no longer an option for removing gum pigmentation.
Causes Of Black/Darkened Gums:
The two most common causes of dark gums are smoking and genetics. Smoking darkens the gum tissue because the tar from the cigarette breaks down collagen in the gum tissue.
Improving Teeth’s Appearance Without Bleaching:
Dentists will charge anywhere from $300 to $600 for a session. If you want that pearly-white look, be prepared to shell out big bucks.
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Who Can Benefit From Bleaching?
One alternative to teeth whitening that dentists are starting to use is natural teeth bleaching kits. These products can be purchased at a much lower price than those offered by dental practices and they work just as well. The key ingredient in most of these products is activated charcoal, which has been used for centuries as a way to remove toxins from the body. Simply put, activated charcoal absorbs stains on the teeth while also whitening them naturally. It’s an all-natural way to keep your smile bright!
How Much Does It Cost?
Today, there are a variety of ways to safely remove gum pigmentation. You can use laser surgery or chemical bleaching, both of which will cost you anywhere from $600 to $1000. If you don’t have the money for this kind of treatment, don’t worry. There are less expensive options that will still work just as well.
What Are The Side Effects?
The side effects of gum bleaching are the result of burning away the protective layer of skin on your gums. This can be especially harmful if you have a condition that makes it difficult to heal from burns, such as diabetes or psoriasis. It’s also not recommended for people with sensitive teeth because it can cause sensitivity during brushing. Another possible side effect is tooth sensitivity, which can be caused by the laser being too close to the tooth surface.
Risks Involved With Bleaching:
Thankfully, there are some much more natural ways to get rid of unsightly stains on your teeth that don’t involve a dentist’s office. One of the more popular at-home remedies for this type of problem is using activated charcoal, which can be found in health food stores.
The trick here is to make a paste with activated charcoal powder mixed with water. Then all you have to do is brush your teeth as you would normally, but instead use the paste on your toothbrush rather than toothpaste. If it feels too gritty or painful, try diluting the mixture a bit more before brushing.
What About Natural Ways?
As a dentist, I was always aware that the procedure for removing gum pigmentation was not always effective. The process involved burning away an entire layer of gum tissue with a laser. That sounds pretty brutal, right? It also required multiple visits to the dentist’s office.
Thankfully, there are now much more natural ways of removing any stubborn stains on your teeth — such as using toothpaste with activated charcoal. All you need to do is brush your teeth like normal before going to bed, then brush again in the morning.
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