There’s more to having a healthy mouth than straight, white teeth. They can be a good sign that everything is in good condition, but they don’t tell the whole picture. The health of the gums, or lack of it, also reveals a lot. If you have strong and healthy gums, then you’ll be unlikely to have too many problems with your dental health. However, if your gums are discolored — for example, they have red patches, or they’re uneven in color — then that could signal an underlying condition. Even if there is no sinister reason for the color issues, it’s likely that they’ll compromise the aesthetic qualities of your smile. And in this day and age, that’s more important than ever.

In this blog, we’re going to run through everything you need to know about gum whitening treatment, including what it is, why you might need it, and the benefits that it can bring to your life.

What Is Gum Depigmentation Treatment?

So let’s dive straight in and take a look at what gum depigmentation treatment is. Essentially, it’s a form of dental treatment that aims to restore the gums to a natural color. People that have healthy-looking gums probably don’t realize just how much of an impact the condition of the gums can have on the appearance of the smile. If your gums are off-color, then it’s likely that your smile isn’t quite as picture-perfect as it could be!

And this can have negative consequences. Even if there’s no health-related reason for your gum pigmentation, there’s no avoiding that it could affect your confidence. If we’re going to splash our smiles around for the whole world to see, then we need to have some level of confidence in it; if you feel self-conscious about your gums, then you’ll be less likely to have this confidence!

The treatment aims to correct these issues. Once you’ve completed the treatment, you’ll find that your gums have a more natural, healthy-looking color. And when they do, you’ll find that the overall appearance of your smile is enhanced and that you’re much more willing to smile!

What Causes Gum Pigmentation?

There are many reasons why your gums may be pigmented. The most common reason is something that we have no control over — our genetics! If gum pigmentation runs in your family, then you’ll be more likely to experience the problem. There are also some lifestyle and health-related factors that can cause gum pigmentation too. These include:

Smoking

It’s no secret that smoking tobacco can have a significant negative impact on your oral health. In fact, it can have a significant negative impact on your health as a whole! If you’re a smoker and have been for a while, then you’ll be much more likely to experience gum pigmentation compared with a non-smoker. Treatment can help to restore the color that has been lost through smoking. Of course, the effectiveness of the treatment — including how long it lasts — will be extended if the patient stops smoking before and after the treatment. Just one of many good reasons to stop smoking!

Inadequate Oral Health Care

Your dental habits play a big role in the overall condition of not only your teeth but your gums. If you haven’t been brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash (or you haven’t been doing these things correctly), then you’ll be more likely to have gums with issues.

Medications

Some medications can darken the gums or make them become discolored. This is sometimes only temporary; once the person stops taking the medication, they’ll return to normal. But in some cases, it won’t be possible to stop taking medication, so it’ll be less likely that your gums will recover on their own.

Genetics

But as we mentioned earlier, the biggest influence as to whether you experience pigmentation of the gums or not will be your genetic makeup. If you have too much melanin in your system, then it’s more likely that you’ll have discoloration.

Regardless of the cause of the pigmentation, it’s always possible to take action. The first step is to schedule an appointment with Dr. I. Stephen Brown of The Perio Group.

The Benefits of Gum Depigmentation Treatment

Now that we’ve looked at why someone might need to get gum depigmentation treatment, let’s think about why they should. In simple terms: because it’s convenient and effective! Unlike other procedures, this type of treatment is quick and doesn’t require any cutting. It usually just takes one or two hours and involves lightening the gums with a laser. Plus, the recovery time is minimal — you’ll likely be able to go about your usual daily activities following the treatment.

And the broader reason why people get this treatment is that it can help to improve the appearance of the smile, and, consequently, the person’s confidence. If you’re looking to get that picture-perfect smile that’s currently being compromised by the color of your gums, then this is the treatment that you need.

Who is Gum Depigmentation Treatment For?

There’ll be plenty of people that are suitable for gum depigmentation treatment. However, it’s not for everyone. Generally, the gums have to be in good condition for the procedure to be effective. If you have gum disease, oral diseases, or thinning gum tissue, then this treatment is unlikely to be the right choice. If this type of treatment isn’t appropriate, then that’s not to say that there won’t be other treatment options for you.

Conclusion

In this day and age, there’s a solution for virtually everything, and that includes discolored gums. If you’d like to know more, or you’re ready to begin your treatment with Dr. Brown of The Perio Group, then be sure to contact us today!