Benefits of Gum Bleaching
There is more to a healthy, beautiful smile than straight, white teeth. Gum tissue has a role in how patients feel about the appearance of their smile. Patients that have gum tissue that is uneven in color may find themselves self-conscious about their smile. Fortunately, there is a great treatment available with gum bleaching! Also called gum depigmentation, this process allows patients to have more uniformly colored gums.
What is gum hyperpigmentation?
Dark gum tissue can result from factors such as poor oral hygiene, medication, lifestyle habits, underlying medical conditions, and ethnicity. Patients of Middle Eastern or African descent often have naturally darker gum tissue because they produce more melanin. Darker gum tissue does not indicate a problem and is most often associated with higher melanin production.
Patients who smoke can develop a condition called smoker’s melanosis which presents as dark patches on the gum tissue that can even affect the entire inside of the mouth. Additionally, certain medications have a side effect causing patients to develop dark areas on their gum tissue.
What is gum bleaching?
Gum depigmentation is a cosmetic treatment that removes dark areas on the gum tissue to reveal underlying, pink tissue. The process can be completed in two ways: microdermabrasion, or laser treatment.
Microdermabrasion uses a deep exfoliation to remove dark spots and is the same process that is found in most dermatology offices. Laser treatment utilizes a handheld laser to vaporize dark tissue and kill melanin producing cells. Both treatment options target the pigmented tissue with precision and safety. Gum bleaching takes about 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the area being treated.
What are the benefits of gum bleaching?
Gum bleaching can be a life-changing procedure giving patients a big shot of self-esteem. After treatment, gum tissue will look healthier and feel firmer. Patients find that they are more confident in their smile when their gum tissue matches the color of the tongue in the inside of the cheeks. Gum bleaching reduces the rate at which melanin is produced and results can last 20 to 25 years, even a lifetime.
Your dentist can help determine the cause of your dark gums. If they find that it is not related to a dental issue or melanin production, they may refer you to your general doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Gum bleaching is a quick and simple procedure with immediate and permanent results! If your gum tissue is particularly dark, you may need more than one session to achieve your desired results. Patients who may be a candidate for gum depigmentation are generally healthy and do not have any underlying conditions or gum disease.
If you have dark or patchy gum tissue that makes you feel uncomfortable with your smile, speak with your dentist to see if gum depigmentation might be a good treatment option for you.