Is it Possible to Lighten Your Gums?
If you have dark spots on your gums or gums that are darker than you’d prefer, you may feel self-conscious about smiling or otherwise allowing people to see your gums. The condition of darkened gums can be caused by internal causes or external causes, and dark gums can appear at birth or later in life. When people are born with dark gums, the condition is usually innocuous and poses only aesthetic concerns. When patients develop darkened gums or dark spots on the gums later in life, this could be a symptom of an underlying illness or concern and should be evaluated by a professional. The gums can become dark or spotted because of tobacco use, medical conditions, certain medications, and for a few other reasons. Regardless of their cause, in most cases, dark gums are treatable, and treatment will depend on the cause of the condition and the needs and preferences of the patient. A comprehensive examination by a periodontist, which is a dentist who specializes in the health of the gums and other tissues that support the teeth, possibly in combination with a cosmetic dentist, can pinpoint the cause of your gum hyperpigmentation and help determine the best treatment options.
What Types of Lightening Treatments are Recommended by Dentists?
Most widely used gum-lightening techniques are painless or nearly painless and can provide satisfactory results with very little recovery time. The optimal technique for each case will depend on the cause and extent of gum hyperpigmentation. Some of these gum lightening options include laser treatments, bleaching, dermabrasion, and gum surgery.
- Laser treatments: This is one of the more effective treatments used to lighten the gums. Laser treatments rely on pulsing laser light to vaporize the outermost layer of gum tissue, destroying the darkened melanin cells while revealing healthy pink underlying tissue. The results of laser treatments are immediate, and the procedure is largely painless.
- Bleaching treatment: The gums are treated with a clinical-grade bleaching solution that is then activated with a laser. For these treatments, patient comfort is ensured with the use of local anesthesia. The bleaching solution used is FDA-approved for clinical applications and is safe to use when applied by a dental professional.
- Dermabrasion: Using a small polishing tool, the dentist gently buffs away the outer, darkened layer of gum tissue, instantly exposing the healthy pink tissue beneath.
- Gum surgery: After administering local anesthesia, the dentist surgically removes the outer layer of gum tissue, revealing healthy underlying tissue. These surgical treatments can be completed in a single office visit and require no stitches, dressings, or harsh chemicals.
To be an ideal candidate for any gum lightening treatment, patients should have good gum health and a strong oral hygiene routine. If any gum disease is present, this should be treated before gum lightening, or any other cosmetic dentistry treatment, is undertaken. If you’re embarrassed about uneven or unusually dark gum pigmentation, the good news is that there’s probably a solution that will work for you, so contact your dentist today to learn about your options. You could quickly be on your way to a brighter, more confident smile.