Does Gum Bleaching Work
Gingival hyperpigmentation is more often than not a result of an excess in melanin production. Dark gum tissue is not typically a medical concern but it can indicate an underlying condition if it appears suddenly and is not normal for your skin tone. Aside from ethnicity, common causes of darkened gum tissue include poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease, tobacco use, medical conditions, and certain medications.
What is gum bleaching?
Gum bleaching, or gum depigmentation, is a procedure that was developed to provide comfortable treatment options for patients who want to remove dark patches from their gum tissue. The most common type of gum bleaching is done with a handheld laser. Other tools include microdermabrasion and surgical removal.
How does laser gum bleaching work?
Laser light energy is attracted to color; it is the same technique used to remove tattoos and is non-invasive and effective! Dental lasers are safe and gentle and provide excellent results immediately after treatment. Laser gum bleaching can last 20 years to lifetime with proper oral care and a healthy lifestyle.
The doctor will examine your gum tissue to make sure that you were a candidate for gum bleaching. Most patients that have healthy gums can proceed with laser gum depigmentation. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the gum tissue and make the patient comfortable during treatment. A handheld laser is used to gently eliminate darkened patches and reveal underlying pink tissue. The laser vapor rises the dark tissue and kills the melanocytes that create melanin to reduce production.
Treatment can take as little as 20 minutes but usually takes between one and two hours, depending on the size of the area being treated. For those with particularly deep dark patches, more than one treatment session may be necessary. Patients experience immediate results and can often return to normal daily routines the day after treatment.
Laser gum bleaching is effective and provides consistent results to eliminate dark gum tissue and reveal pink, even colored gone tissue. It is minimally invasive with little or no discomfort during or after the procedure and healing is quick with predictable results.
Patients may experience some mild discomfort and sensitivity after treatment but that is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It is ideal to stick to a diet of soft foods for a couple of days after treatment to avoid irritating the already sensitive gum tissue.
It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene practices that include brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Habits such as tobacco use and excessive consumption of sugar and alcohol can all cause your gums to darken again. Gum bleaching is a great option for patients who want to improve the aesthetics of their smile. Speak with your dentist to see if you are a candidate for laser gum depigmentation.