Young man choosing color of teeth at dentist.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe With Gum Disease?  

Professional teeth whitening can improve your smile in a few short weeks, but is teeth whitening safe to do with gum disease? 

It’s important to keep in mind that gum disease can get severe if you leave it unattended. Not only is gum disease bad for your overall oral health, but it can prevent you from getting other dental procedures aside from teeth whitening.

Dentists Will Recommend Delaying Professional Teeth Whitening With Gum Disease

The bleaching agents used to get your teeth whiter and brighter can actually irritate the teeth and gums. If you are currently suffering from gum disease, your gums and teeth are already irritated and painful. Getting them professionally whitened will just irritate them more. It can also cause you to experience extreme pain or even damage your teeth.

Get Gum Disease Treated Before Considering Whitening Your Teeth

If gum disease is preventing you from whitening and brightening your teeth, there is one thing you can do – seek treatment for your gum disease. Once your gum disease is properly treated, you may be able to professionally whiten your teeth.

The severity of your gum disease will determine how it is treated. Minor gum disease, known as gingivitis, may be able to be treated with just professional dental teeth cleaning. More severe cases of gum disease may require scaling and root planning procedures.

Your dentist will assess the severity of your gum disease and create a personalized treatment plan for you. If you follow the treatment plan, teeth whitening may be an option in the future.

Other Dental Problems Could Delay Teeth Whitening

Gum disease is just one dental problem that could prevent you from getting professional teeth whitening. Cavities, extensive plaque and tartar build up, tooth sensitivity, and gum recession, could also prevent you from being able to professionally whiten your teeth.

Since many of these dental problems can happen without you knowing about it, it is recommended that maintain your regular six-month cleaning and examination. During the examination, your dentist will take x-rays and assess the health of your teeth and gums. If any problems are spotted during the examination, your dentist will be able to provide you with recommendations for treatment.

Once all the dental problems are treated, you can discuss whether or not you are a good candidate for professional teeth whitening.

Gum Disease can Prevent You from Undergoing Other Dental Procedures

Teeth whitening isn’t the only dental procedure that you may be unable to undergo with gum disease.

Other dental procedures that can be delayed due to gum disease include:

With some procedures, such as porcelain veneers or orthodontic services, you may be able to undergo teeth whitening after gum disease is treated. Other services, such as dental implants, may be unable to be performed at all if the gum disease is severe. This is because it most likely caused extensive damage to the teeth and gums. 

Schedule an Appointment for a Comprehensive Dental Examination and Professional Cleaning

Want to improve your smile by getting your teeth whitened? Schedule an appointment at Artistic Touch Dentistry for a comprehensive dental examination.

During the examination, our dentist will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, or if there are any current problems. After the examination, our dentist will create a customized treatment plan for you.

If no dental problems are present, our dentist will recommend scheduling a future appointment so you can begin getting your teeth professionally whitened. Contact Artistic Touch Dentistry today and improve your smile!