Gum Peeling
歯科ハミール高田88 Director
Masashi Motegi
Hello, I’m Masashi Motegi, the director.
Dark or dull-looking gums are caused by things like a buildup of melanin pigment, and they’re hard to improve with your own care at home. Gum peeling is a procedure that turns gums like these a healthy pink.
Plenty of patients tell us, “I whitened my teeth, but now I notice the color of my gums.” At 歯科ハミール高田88, guided by our philosophy of hospitality, we take the time to explain the procedure, how we manage pain, and the cost beforehand, so you can go into it feeling at ease.
If you’d like to bring your whole smile together, talk to us here in Takadanobaba.
Toward Healthy, Pink Gums
Even with whiter teeth, dark gums stand out when you smile. A beautiful smile takes more than white teeth. Healthy pink gums are an important part of it too.
The main causes of dark gums are smoking and a buildup of melanin pigment. This is common among smokers and people prone to tanning. Genetics can contribute to higher melanin levels.
Gum peeling uses a dedicated solution to remove the dark pigment from your gums and restore a healthy pink color. It causes little pain and the procedure itself is quick. Paired with teeth whitening, it can bring your whole smile together. It’s also a treatment we recommend if you speak in front of people often, work in customer service, or have an event like a wedding coming up.
What Causes Dark Gums
Melanin Buildup
Melanin is the pigment that determines the color of your skin and hair, and it’s present in your gums too. When UV exposure or irritation triggers your body to produce too much of it, your gums darken.
A tendency to tan and high natural melanin levels can make your gums prone to darkening. Genetics plays a role: some people have darker gums from birth.
The Effect of Smoking
The nicotine and tar in cigarettes worsen blood flow in the gums and encourage melanin production. Gums can darken over years of smoking.
Smokers’ gums are often darker than non-smokers’, which can affect the appearance of your smile. Quitting prevents new darkening, but melanin that has already built up won’t fade on its own.
Mouth Breathing and Gum Irritation
When mouth breathing dries out your gums, they become more sensitive to irritation and melanin is more prone to buildup. Brushing too hard with a stiff-bristled brush can also irritate the gums and contribute to darkening.
Metal ions leaching out of metal fillings or crowns can also deposit in the gums. This is known as a “metal tattoo,” and gum peeling may not be able to improve it.
What Is Gum Peeling?
Removing Pigment with a Solution
Gum peeling applies a dedicated solution to the gums to remove the darkened surface layer. The solution causes the old tissue holding the melanin pigment to peel away, revealing the healthy pink gum tissue underneath.
The solution works much like a skin peel and has a confirmed safety record. It acts only on the surface of the gum, preventing damage to the deeper tissue.
A Quick Procedure
Gum peeling takes about 30 minutes. We apply the solution to your gums, leave it for a set time, and rinse it off. There’s no need for anesthetic, and it has almost no effect on your daily life.
A few days after the procedure, the surface layer starts to peel, and healthy pink gums appear after about 1 to 2 weeks. Recovery speed varies from person to person, but many patients get their beautiful gums back within 2 weeks.
A Low-Pain Treatment
Gum peeling causes little pain. There is a stinging sensation when the solution is applied and after the procedure, but it is not unbearable.
It varies from person to person, but many patients can have the procedure without anesthetic. If you’re sensitive to pain, we can use a topical anesthetic. Just let us know.
Features of Our Gum Peeling
A Procedure Built Around Safety
We use a solution with a confirmed safety record, applied at the right concentration and for the right amount of time. Before applying it, we check the condition of your gums for any inflammation or damage.
If your gums are inflamed, we treat the periodontal disease first. Doing gum peeling on healthy gums makes the procedure safer and the results more reliable.
Learn more about periodontal disease
Combining with Whitening
Pairing gum peeling with whitening brings your whole smile together. White teeth alongside healthy pink gums make a big difference to how your smile comes across.
If you have an event like a wedding or a job search coming up, we recommend planning both treatments together. We’ll also advise you on the right timing for whitening and gum peeling.
The Gum Peeling Process
Medical History & Counseling
We’ll ask when you first noticed your gums darkening, and whether you smoke. Please let us know beforehand if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction. This helps us pin down the cause and decide whether gum peeling is right for you.
Examination & Diagnosis
We examine your gums closely for any inflammation or bleeding. If your gums are inflamed, we treat the periodontal disease first. Because gum peeling can’t improve darkening caused by metal-ion deposits, we pin down the cause through examination.
Gum Cleaning
Before the procedure, we remove tartar and plaque to leave your gums clean. Cleaning also reduces gum inflammation, which makes gum peeling both safer and more effective.
Applying the Solution
We apply the dedicated solution to your gums, covering the dark areas that concern you with an even layer, then leave it for a set time and rinse it off with care. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and may cause a slight stinging sensation.
Aftercare Guidance
We’ll walk you through what to expect and what to watch for. The surface layer starts to peel after a few days, and healthy pink gums appear after about 1 to 2 weeks. After the procedure, avoid harsh foods and drinks and brush with light pressure.
Pricing
Gum Peeling
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) | Procedure Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gum Peeling (Full Arch) | ¥11,000 | About 30 minutes |
*“Full mouth” refers to the upper and lower gums as a whole.
Recovery and Aftercare
Right After the Procedure, Through the First Few Days
Right after the procedure, your gums will look whitish. This is the solution changing the surface and is a normal reaction. Within a few days, the surface layer starts to peel, revealing pink gum tissue underneath.
Your gums are more sensitive during this period, so avoid harsh foods and drinks. Steer clear of anything spicy, sour, or too hot or too cold.
1 to 2 Weeks Later
After about 1 to 2 weeks, peeling of the surface layer is complete and healthy pink gums appear. Recovery speed varies, but most patients have their beautiful gums back within this time.
By this point, you can return to your usual meals and brushing routine. That said, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep irritation to your gums to a minimum.
Long-Term Care
Even after gum peeling, smoking or strong irritation can cause melanin to build up again. Quitting smoking is the most effective way to make the results last.
It’s also important not to brush too hard with a stiff brush, and to avoid mouth breathing. We check the condition of your gums at regular dental checkups and consider additional gum peeling if needed.
We recommend a checkup every 3 months, where we also check the health of your gums.
Common Questions
Does gum peeling hurt?
There is a stinging sensation when the solution is applied and after the procedure, but it is not unbearable. Many patients can have the procedure without anesthetic. If you’re sensitive to pain, we can use a topical anesthetic. Just let us know.
How soon will I see results?
A few days after the procedure, the surface layer starts to peel, and healthy pink gums appear after about 1 to 2 weeks. Recovery speed varies from person to person, but most patients get their beautiful gums back within 2 weeks.
How long do the results last?
It varies from person to person, but the results typically last for several years. That said, continuing to smoke or exposing your gums to strong irritation will cause melanin to build up again. Quitting smoking and proper care help the results last longer.
Is there anything to watch for after the procedure?
For 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure, avoid harsh foods and drinks. It’s also important to brush with light pressure and keep irritation to your gums to a minimum.
Does it work on all types of gum darkening?
It’s effective on darkening caused by melanin, but not on metal-ion deposits (a “metal tattoo”). We pin down the cause of the darkening through examination and decide whether gum peeling is right for you.
Can it fix a gummy smile too?
Gum peeling improves the color of your gums. It doesn’t change their shape. If you’d like to improve a gummy smile, you’ll need gum contouring instead. We handle this on a case-by-case basis, so please talk to us.
Thinking About Gum Peeling in Takadanobaba?
At 歯科ハミール高田88, we provide safe, effective gum peeling. If you’re concerned about dark gums, or want to pair it with whitening for a complete, beautiful smile, please start by talking to us.
We’re a 1-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station and open on weekends too, so we’re easy to visit on your way home from work or school. In a short procedure, you can get back healthy, pink gums. We’re here to help you build a smile you can be confident in.
