There's no beauty without pain, as you might remind yourself each day while you whiten your teeth. Teeth whitening may trigger some minor sensitivity, but even if this should be mildly uncomfortable—it should be extremely brief. If your attempts to beautify your teeth are actually causing you pain, it's a clear sign that you're having an adverse reaction to the process. When it comes to whitening your teeth, there can definitely be beauty without pain. So why are your efforts actively hurting your gums?

The Active Ingredient

Anyone experiencing noticeable gum irritation during the whitening process needs to modify their approach, both in terms of technique and the product being used. The cause is likely to be the active ingredient in the whitening gel, or rather its concentration. Hydrogen peroxide (or carbamide peroxide) is the most common active ingredient.

The Percentage

The concentration of this active ingredient is where you might be encountering some problems. Not all teeth whitening gels are equal. The variations in concentration are quite striking. Your whitening gel may contain up to 20% hydrogen peroxide. Contrast this with the UK, where an over-the-counter whitening gel can contain a maximum of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. In the US, teeth whitening is considered to be a cosmetic product, so it cannot be regulated in the same way as a medical product. 

The Strength

Your discomfort may be caused by the strength of the whitening gel that's in daily contact with your teeth and gums. The applicator trays contained in the kit can also contribute to the problem. Ill-fitting trays can mean that the ultimate application of the gel is uneven, and it may be escaping from the trays onto your gums. You can still whiten your teeth, but you need to modify your approach. 

The Type of Stain

For starters, consult your dentist. Teeth whitening kits can give the impression that they're suitable for all forms of discoloration, but there are different types of staining, all with their own optimum removal method. Your dentist can also scale your teeth to remove surface stains, which will make any subsequent whitening more effective. However, when your teeth are only mildly discolored, you must find the best whitening treatment for your specific case.

The Better Choice

It's likely that you will be advised to use a product with a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Teeth whitening gel kits are available in a variety of strengths, and your dentist can recommend the best concentration for you — allowing the progressive whitening of your teeth without irritating your gums. A dentist can also make a customized applicator tray for you, to ensure the maximum efficiency of the whitening gel.

Whitening your teeth shouldn't hurt, and after consulting a dentist, it may be that your initial attempts were simply too intense for your teeth. If you want to whiten your teeth, look for a teeth whitening gel kit.