I’m in the middle of the process of getting porcelain veneers. I had my teeth prepped and am wearing the temporary veneers for the next two weeks. I’m concerned because my gums are red and irritated. They have been bleeding, too. My gums were not like this before, and I’m worried there is something wrong. Is there something I can do to help with the irritation before I go back to get my permanent veneers? — Mollie
Mollie,
It sounds like your gums are irritated from the treatment or they could just be “protesting” the temporary veneers. Regardless of what is causing the irritation, they will heal on their own, but you certainly can’t go wrong with salt water rinsing a couple times a day, and making sure you brush carefully and steer clear of any mouth wash that contains alcohol (this will only make your gums worse). If they are painful, take ibuprofen (it will also help with the inflammation). You could even try a topical analgesic like Orajel. When you get the permanent porcelain veneers you’ll see a big difference.
If you had tissue re-contouring, that will also cause short-term soreness during the healing phase and it can be treated with the same remedies. If you’re still experiencing symptoms at your next visit, be sure to point it out to your dentist so he can take a closer look, evaluate your situation and give you a better idea of when your gums will be feeling better.
This blog post is brought to you by Des Moines cosmetic dentist, Dr. Phelan Thomas. For more information on the services he provides, please visit his Des Moines cosmetic dentist website.