When Tooth Whitening Leads To Sensitive Gum

Sensitive gums are generally associated with gum disease and other oral ailments, but in some cases the condition may actually be more or less self-inflicted. When tooth whitening leads to sensitive gums, it is a surefire sign that cosmetics have run away with common sense and also practicality. For example, consider the fact that the average American diet is rich in caffeine (in the forms of coffee and tea) and also nicotine. Yet both of these substances are known to stain teeth to an unappealing brown. In stark contrast is the famous smile associated with youthful movie stars who might be participating in the same kind of vices but somehow always have that whiter than white smile.

At the root of this white smile is of course the bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and having caught on to the trend, dental offices today are offering tooth whitening as one of the many optional cosmetic procedures. Hopping on the bandwagon rather quickly, grocery stores now offer the over the counter version that permits consumers to whiten their teeth from the comforts of their own homes!

Unfortunately, with this trend also come the consequences and sensitive gums are but one of the many casualties reported when it comes to tooth whitening. Tooth whiteners essentially work by applying a whitening agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, to the tooth while at the same time trying to protect the sensitive gums. Yet this approach is only partially successful and the reality dictates that bleaching agent will eventually make contact with the gum line and beyond.

When tooth whitening leads to sensitive gums, the odds are good that a fair amount of damage is being done to not only the gums themselves but also to other mucous membranes. Granted, the amount of hydrogen peroxide in the home bleaching kits is greatly decreased but the irritation that even a reduced amount of this agent causes may very well be rather significant. It has been said that the irritation is due to decrease, yet when home kits require a twice daily application for more than 10 days there is a distinct possibility that sensitive gums will have the user of such bleaching agents in pain and discomfort for at least that long.

Aggravating sensitive gums are also previously existing periodontal disease and other gum or tooth decay issues. Consumers will be wise to discuss the use of such home bleaching kits with their dentists prior to engaging in this practice. Failure to do so will result in not only sensitive gums but possibly also damage to mucous membranes which might lead to a drying of the mouth. This, of course, is directly indicated in the formation of gum disease in that the failure of saliva to properly wash away bacteria throughout the day may lead to an overpopulating of the oral cavity with the bacteria which will soon begin to form the plaque associated with the dangerous disease. Dentists may suggest a different product or they suggest having you undergo a supervised bleaching in the office.