Please make sure you follow these steps when using over the counter (or on line) teeth whitening kits without a dentist's supervision:

1. Make sure the tray is trimmed to fit ONLY over your teeth.

2. Make sure the gel does not sit on your gums - wipe with a Q-tip if it does. Not your finger as this will rub it into the gum tissue. I would suggest putting vaseline on your gum tissue first.

3. I would suggest using a concentration of only 10% - will take longer, but much safer.

4. Test it on a small area to make sure you are not allergic as I was.

I purchased a kit on line that is 17% carbamide peroxide. I used this back in April and am still in pain. It damaged my tongue (couldn't see the damage)and it tingled and burned for 6 weeks. My bottom gums and a small portion of my top gums are still burning and feel like the tissue is raw. It's hard to see the damage and I have been to two doctors, a periodontist, and two dentists - no help. I am seeing a cosmetic dentist today to look into gum grafting. I am posting this message so that someone else is aware of the potential damage this can cause if not used properly(rare - but it happened to me). It's advertised as being so safe - similar to LASIK surgery a few years ago.

Casey!!!!!That is terrible!! My daughter is a Nurse.
She told me how to use my kit and it works. I feel guilty telling you since what happened is preventable but for others' use here goes:
D said, "mom, you do Not need to line the form with a
row of bleach like you'd use a line of toothpaste.
You put a pea sized amount in the front, in one place,
in the form then RUB IT TO THE BACKS with your finger.
I got my bleach on ebay and have not had a problem.
The bleach lasts forever this way and no burning.
Let us know what they decide to do. Skins grafts are pretty drastic and uncomfortable. Seems like you could find a healing ointment to apply between all meals and at bedtime and maybe take antibiotics. Good luck to you

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Aster

They gave me a mouthwash called Stanford mouthwash... it has anti-imflammatory, stuff to fight bacterial and fungal infection. Have follow-up next week with a periodontist to see if this is working. If not, I guess gum grafts possible... he really wanted to try this first which makes sense. Hope this works!