A Teenager's Guide to Braces

The popularity of over-the-counter teeth whitening systems is growing, and this growth is expected to continue. It's estimated that the overall market will be valued at $7.4 billion annually by 2024. When trying an at-home whitening kit for the first time, you might have been dismayed at some unexpected side effects. While a tingling sensation (centered around your gums) is normal, some users might find that this tingling escalates to irritation and discomfort. Is it just that you have especially sensitive gums, or are you not using the product correctly? 

Your Gums

The tingling sensation experienced when using an at-home kit is due to your gingival tissues (gums) being exposed to the whitening kit's active ingredient (carbamide peroxide). Minor exposure is not harmful, although excessive, prolonged exposure can cause irritation to your gingival tissues. In extreme cases, a chemical burn (discoloration and blistering) can be experienced on your gums, tongue, lips, and the lining of your cheeks. 

Minimizing Exposure

You can minimize this exposure by only applying the whitening solution sparingly to the applicator tray, and only wearing the tray for the recommended amount of time. Don't be tempted to increase this time in an effort to speed up the process. You should also habitually wipe the edges of the applicator trays after placing the trays over your teeth. Using a clean paper towel or tissue, gently remove the excess whitening solution that has oozed out of the tray. 

Unsatisfactory Results

With careful use, the risk of irritation or chemical burns is low, but this can create another problem. When using the product sparingly and only for the recommended amount of time, you might not achieve the whitening results you were seeking. Increasing your usage risks damaging your gums, so what should you do?

Repeated Attempts

Not all teeth react favorably to at-home whitening. This method is most effective on teeth with perfectly intact dental enamel that isn't particularly discolored, to begin with. For teeth with deep extrinsic staining, the results from an at-home whitening kit will be negligible, and repeated attempts to use this method will only harm your teeth and gums.

What You Need to Do

When at-home whitening has resulted in gum irritation with rather lackluster whitening results, you might need to acknowledge the fact that your teeth might only respond to professional treatment. Professional whitening is often accompanied by scaling and polishing to remove surface stains (which an at-home kit simply cannot do). A whitening agent is then used, but this will be applied by your dentist, with safeguards in place to prevent gum irritation. The whitening effect is accelerated by LED lighting, creating a blue light that stimulates the whitening agent without creating heat. The results are instant and safe, as opposed to the weeks that an at-home kit will need to work (assuming it works at all).

Don't risk continuing gum irritation and damage for results that seem barely worth the effort. Talk to a dentist about teeth whitening safely.