My gums hurt after porcelain veneers prep.

I am so excited for my new porcelain veneers. But, I’m disappointed after my first appointment with the cosmetic dentist when he did the tooth preparation. My gums are killing me! They are very sore, red and swollen. They also bleed very easily.

I’ve always had healthy teeth and gums and am beginning to second guess my decision to get porcelain veneers. Is this normal or could something be wrong?

– Jen in Texas

Jen,

It is surprising that your dentist didn’t mention the possibility of gum irritation. It is not that uncommon and occurs in many porcelain veneers patients.

Tips After Preparation for Porcelain Veneers

It could be that the irritation is a result of the temporary veneers. Or it may be that they became irritated during the preparation process. Whatever the case, your gums should heal without intervention before the permanent veneers are placed. In the meantime, you can rinse with warm salt water as needed throughout the day. This will help with the discomfort. Also, be gentle when you brush and avoid any toothpaste or mouthwash products that contain alcohol. Sometimes abrasive products will increase the irritation. Feel free to take some ibuprofen to help with the inflammation too. In most cases, once the permanent veneers are placed, the irritation will resolve itself.

However, you should feel free to contact your dentist and discuss the specifics of your case in more detail. He can give you other recommendations, based on the timeline of your next appointment. Even though you didn’t mention it, there is also a possibility you had some tissue recontouring done. If that was the case, it may be contributing to the issues.

If you feel like it’s getting worse or causing unmanageable pain, make an appointment with your cosmetic dentist. You should be evaluated to see how the healing process is going.

So, it doesn’t sound out of the ordinary. Try those things recommended above and don’t hesitate to contact the dentist if you are still worried about it.

This post is sponsored by Hamburg Expressions, a cosmetic dentist in Lexington, KY.