Over-the-counter tooth whitening products include whitening toothpaste and products with bleaching agents, such as whitening strips, gels, rinses, pens, and gel trays.

Typically, whitening toothpastes brighten your teeth by scrubbing away stains. You might experience some irritation if you brush too hard with these toothpastes, but the ingredients themselves are unlikely to cause a problem. However, some whitening toothpastes also contain bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which do have the potential to irritate the gums.

A Cochrane study found that gum irritation is one of two common problems when using teeth whiteners with a higher concentration of bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. (Tooth sensitivity is the other problem.) Though, if used correctly, the irritation is temporary and mild.

The most common signs that you might have irritated your soft tissue are soreness, redness and inflammation. Besides this, you may notice that parts of your gums have turned white, or you’ve developed white spots and patches on the gums. This is a sign that you have a chemical burn; a burned area will usually become sore and turn white on contact with the solution. Although this looks alarming, rest assured that the burned white area will peel away after a couple of days and the burn will begin to heal.

Let's say you're in the middle of a whitening treatment at home, and you feel a slight burning in your gums. What can you do?

• First, stop the treatment. Remove the tray or the whitening product immediately. Don't wait until the burning gets worse!

• Then, rinse your mouth. Rinsing with warm saltwater swishes away any lingering bleaching product and soothes the irritation.

As long as you stop the bleaching treatment quickly, the good news is that gum irritation usually resolves on its own after a few days. Saltwater rinses will help relieve discomfort during recovery. If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers can dull the irritation or burning feeling.

If your burns seem severe, become inflamed, or cause you concern in any way, it's a good idea to visit your dentist's office. By looking at the injury, your dental professional can tell you if home care will be enough to treat the injury or if there are other options to relieve your injured gums.

Teeth whitening is generally safe, as long as you take a few precautions. Remember to:

• Read. Review all product directions carefully – and then follow them exactly as written.

• Wipe. If the whitening agent comes anywhere near your gums, wipe it off immediately with a soft, damp swab. This typically happens when using a one-size-fits-all, ill-fitting gel tray or applying too much gel.

• Pay attention. It's worth emphasizing that you should keep the whitening agent on no longer than the manufacturer recommends. And rinse it off if at any time you feel discomfort.

• Heal. Give your gums a break. If you had to cut short your teeth whitening time because of gum irritation, please don't start the whitening process again until a few days after your gums have fully recovered.

You might also think about using one of the non-peroxide whitening products on the market. Some claim to contain only natural ingredients, but they may have their own side effects, including gum irritation, so read the ingredients and directions with care.

Though over-the-counter teeth whiteners contain much lower concentrations of bleaching agent than products used in your dentist's office, you might consider professional tooth whitening. In a dental office, you're in a controlled setting with dental professionals taking every precaution to protect your teeth and gums. And they can monitor any irritation before problems arise.

If you have no time for professional teeth whitening, at least ask your dentist for a custom-fitted gel tray to use at home. Also, ask your dental professional to demonstrate how to apply whitening gel into the tray properly.

We all want a dazzling white smile. But in getting that brilliant smile, you don't want your gums to turn white (or red) from bleaching agents. Make sure you recognize when your gums are irritated or burning so you can take fast action to soothe your gingival tissue. Next time you whiten your teeth, take preventive measures so that when you smile, your teeth dazzle, and your gums look pink and healthy.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.