In the past, most dentists used to lighten their patients’ gum color using procedures that were painful and sometimes ineffective — but not anymore! In this blog, we will cover how gum bleaching used to be done and why it wasn’t effective, as well as how modern gum lightening procedures work and why they are so much better than the old ones. When you’re done reading, make sure you give our office a call — we have plenty of effective and pain-free options for gum lightening that can help you get your stunning smile back!
What Does A Dark Patch On Your Gums Look Like?
The term gum bleaching is typically used to describe the process of removing gum pigmentation. If a dark patch on your gums is accompanied by a white area in the middle, this could be gum lightning. The dark area on your gums might be from injury, irritation, or gum disease. Gum lightening can also result from certain dental procedures like crowns, dentures, or bridges. Your dentist may recommend an appointment for gum lightening if you’re experiencing discomfort and bleeding from your gums as well as difficulty chewing food.
When You Should Worry About It?
While most people have a pretty good sense of when they should visit the dentist, some people might not realize that they need regular dental cleanings more than others. For example, if you’ve been told by your dentist that you have gum disease, or if you’ve been diagnosed with periodontitis, then it’s important to follow up with your dentist regularly — at least every six months — in order to keep on top of your oral health and prevent further damage. If you’re not sure whether or not you have gum disease or periodontitis, then don’t worry! Your dentist will be able to take care of that for you during your next visit.
What Is Gum Bleaching?
Gum bleaching is how dentists would try to remove gum pigmentation in the past — the keyword there being tried. Using painful lasers, dentists would literally burn away an entire layer of the gum tissue in the hopes of getting rid of the melanocytes that are responsible for different shades of pink, brown, and blue. Patients would experience significant discomfort and bleeding in order to achieve a less noticeable shade of teeth. However, with today’s technology, laser gum lightening can produce a more subtle change without any pain or risk.
What Happened When Dentists Used Lasers On Their Patients?
This wasn’t a great idea, and it was just as painful for the patient as you might imagine. The laser heats up the tissue and sears off skin cells in its path. This burns away an entire layer of gum tissue, removing any melanocytes that might be present.
Why Did They Stop Doing This?
The old way of bleaching teeth was by using a laser. The dentist would burn away the pigmentation with a laser, but this caused gum tissue damage. This procedure is no longer used because it is ineffective and can cause complications in the future.
The Better Way To Lighten your Gums:
What is the better way? Well, lasers are still used in order to remove pigmentation. However, they are only used on the surface layer of skin. This ensures that gums do not burn away and grow back darker than before.
Cosmetic Dentistry Today:
Lasers are not a new invention and have been used by dentists for many years in order to lighten teeth. While the lasers were expensive and didn’t always work, they were the best option available at the time. Today, there is a much more affordable way for dentists to remove gum pigmentation with lasers that can be done in one visit. The best part is that it doesn’t require any surgery or painful lasers that burn away an entire layer of gum tissue like before!
