How to Treat Burned Gums From Teeth Whitening

How to Treat Burned Gums From Teeth Whitening

We’ve all been there, trying to get that perfect Hollywood smile, only to realise our gums are stinging. If you’ve ever taken a bite of pizza that was way too hot, you know how sensitive the soft tissues in your mouth can be.

When it comes to teeth whitening, irritation is a common side effect, but it shouldn’t be a permanent one. Understanding how to handle these “chemical burns” can turn a painful mistake into a quick recovery.

Why Does Teeth Whitening Burn Your Gums?

The primary reason is the ingredients, such as Hydrogen Peroxide or Carbamide Peroxide. While these bleaching agents are safe for tooth enamel, they are quite harsh on soft tissue.
When the whitening gel leaks out of a tray and sits on your gums, it causes a chemical burn. You’ll know it’s happening if you notice:

White Spots: Parts of your gums may turn white or develop pale patches immediately upon contact.
Soreness: A stinging or burning sensation during or after treatment.
Inflammation: Red, swollen, or “puffy” looking gum lines.

The Good News: Much like a mild sunburn, these burns are usually temporary. The white tissue will eventually flake off, and your gums typically return to normal within 24 to 48 hours.

Immediate Steps: What to Do If You Feel the Burn

If you’re mid-treatment and start to feel a sting, do not “power through it.”

Stop Immediately: Remove the tray, strip, or gel right away.
Rinse Thoroughly: Use warm salt water to wash away any remaining bleach. This neutralises the area and prevents further damage.
Wipe the Area: Use a clean tissue or cotton swab to ensure no gel is left lingering on the soft tissue.

4 Natural Ways to Soothe Irritated Gums

If your gums are feeling tender after a whitening session, you can find relief using items already in your kitchen:

Warm & Cold Compresses: A warm cloth can improve circulation to help healing, while a cold compress (ice pack wrapped in a cloth) can numb the pain and reduce swelling.
Salt water Rinse: This is the “gold standard” for oral healing. It reduces bacteria and calms inflammation. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish gently.
Tea Bag Therapy: Soak a black or green tea bag in boiling water, let it cool until warm, and press it against the burn. The tannins in tea act as an astringent to speed up healing.
Herbal Pastes: Turmeric: Contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory. Clove: Contains eugenol, a natural numbing agent.
Mix either powder with a drop of water to create a paste, apply for a few minutes, and rinse.

Prevention: How to Whiten Without the Pain

The best way to treat a gum burn is to never get one in the first place. Here is how to protect your smile:

Use Custom-Fit Trays: Generic “one-size-fits-all” trays are the biggest cause of leakage. Toothfairy custom-fit trays are moulded to your teeth, keeping the gel on the enamel and away from the gums.
Apply Less Gel: More gel doesn’t mean whiter teeth; it just means more overflow. Use a small teardrop amount per tooth.
Protect with a Barrier: Before applying the whitening product, you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to your gum line to act as a shield.
Switch to Sensitive Toothpaste: Using a desensitising toothpaste for two weeks before whitening can help strengthen your tolerance.
Check the Clock: Never leave whitening products on longer than the instructions recommend.

When to See a Professional

Most gum irritation from whitening fades in a day or two. However, if the pain is severe, the burns look deep, or the inflammation doesn’t go down, it’s time to call in the experts.

Think you’ve overdone it? 

Don’t stress. You can book an emergency appointment with a Toothfairy dentist to have your gums professionally assessed and get back on track to a healthy, bright smile.