Did you know that gum pigmentation comes from all ethnicities? Did you know that laser treatment has been used to lighten the color of the tissue surrounding gums? Did you know how ineffective it can be? If any of these things seem odd to you, then read on as this article explains more about gum bleaching, why it’s not the answer, and what to do instead.
If You Have Dark Gums:
It’s a common misconception that gum bleaching will get rid of ethnic pigmentation, but it won’t. The main reason for this is that dark gums are usually caused by melanocytes in the skin, and these cells lie way below the gum line. Gum bleaching would only removes superficial pigment from the surface of your gums, which does not penetrate into your deeper layers of tissue. Darker coloration in your gums will not vanish with an at-home whitening treatment, so don’t waste your money trying to bleach those stubborn stains away.
Lightening Gums With Laser Treatments:
Dentists have been using lasers for years in an attempt to lighten gums with pigmentation. The treatments are painful, time-consuming, and not always successful. Ethnic pigmentation can be caused by genetic inheritance, as well as sun exposure, and poor oral hygiene. There are many other ways dentists can whiten your teeth instead of resorting to laser treatment.
If You Don’t Want Cosmetic Dentistry:
With advances in cosmetic dentistry, there are now many safe and natural ways of dealing with ethnic pigmentation. The best way to deal with it depends on how much of your gum tissue needs to be breached. One option is a laser treatment, where your dentist will use a laser that targets melanin (such as the Lumineer), instead of more traditional methods like cutting out or burning away tissues. This is a fairly quick procedure, and you should be able to resume your daily life after a short recovery time. Alternately, for those who just need their gums whitened, there are teeth whitening products available like Crest 3D which have been shown effective at lightening ethnic pigmentation as well.
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Ask Yourself Why Do I Have Dark Gums?
There are many causes of dark gums, so it’s important that you see a dentist. Some common reasons for pigmented or discolored gums are stained teeth, poor dental hygiene, smoking, gingivitis, or other gum diseases. If your dentist doesn’t think any of these apply to you and you still have dark-looking gums, it’s possible that ethnic pigmentation is present. Some people naturally have darker skin than others (like those of African descent), which can contribute to their gum tissue being darker as well. If your dentist determines that you do in fact have ethnic pigmentation on your gums then there are a few treatment options available.
Understanding Genetics And Ethnicity:
In our society, there are an infinite number of things that could potentially trigger someone’s ethnic pigmentation. There are a few ways this can happen, but it’s most commonly caused by melanocytes which produce melanin, or the pigment in the skin. Melanin protects skin cells from UV radiation. The higher your exposure to UV rays and other factors such as genetics and hormones, the darker your natural pigmentation will be.
What Can Be Done About Dark Gums?
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to get your gums back on track. For starters, make sure you brush with a quality toothbrush and toothpaste at least twice per day. For stubborn stains, try using baking soda mixed with water or hydrogen peroxide as a whitening agent. And if all else fails, it’s time for a visit to the dentist!
