Teeth whitening is used almost everywhere in the world today. Teenagers and younger kids may worry about the color of their teeth when their permanent teeth come in because their favorite celebrities and other role models have perfect teeth, and there are a lot of ads for over-the-counter whitening products. It’s not a big surprise that people in their 20s and 30s want to whiten their teeth. We wouldn’t say that kids and teens should never whiten their teeth, but we warn them to be careful. Here is some information that can help parents decide whether or not to whiten their kids’ teeth.
When Can I Start Making My Child’s Teeth Whiter?
The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry say that whitening procedures should wait until a person is 14 or 15 when all of their permanent teeth are in, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Baby teeth have much thinner enamel than adult teeth, which can make them sensitive and change their color.
Why Do Children Want To Whiten Their Teeth?
Some kids may be able to get their teeth whitened early because of exceptional circumstances. Some kids’ teeth may get stained more quickly than others by soft drinks and other drinks, and taking off braces may leave ugly marks. A child’s self-esteem can be hurt when an accident or illness causes their teeth to change color. If this were to happen, we’d get together with the parents and kids to figure out what to do.
How Do You Make Your Child’s Teeth Whiter?
Hydrogen peroxide is often used in both professional and over-the-counter whitening products. The main difference between professional products for adults and children is usually the amount of peroxide in the adult products. You can get help from a professional at the dentist’s office or at home with molded trays. Most gels and strips of hydrogen peroxide you can buy over the counter have a lower ingredient concentration. Home remedies take longer to work than those given by a doctor.
Can I Expect That Whitening My Child’s Teeth Will Make Them More Sensitive?
Both the ADA and the AAPD agree that more research needs to be done to determine the long-term effects of teeth whitening on kids. We know that if peroxide bleach is used to whiten teeth incorrectly, it can damage tooth enamel and make teeth more sensitive. The AAPD says that children are more likely to get peroxide into their tooth pulp because their dentin is thinner and their enamel is more porous. If peroxide gets on the gums, it could irritate them. This is more likely to happen with home treatments.
How Do I Decide Which Way To Whiten My Child’s Teeth Are Best?
If you and your child’s dentist decide whitening is the best option, using an over-the-counter whitening product on kids and teens is not a good idea. Instead, we recommend a custom-fitted tray. This activity can be done anywhere, including at home, with parental supervision (even for teens). Children’s and teens’ whitening solutions usually have less peroxide and are used in much smaller amounts than those used on adults. Use and security are both at the top of the list. Don’t let your children or teenagers use whitening strips on their own.
If your child is worried about the color of their teeth or feeling pressure from their peers, you should tell them how important it is to keep their teeth strong and healthy. Parents who want to give their kids more power can also give them natural medicines or whitening toothpaste made for kids.
Talk To Your Child’s Pediatric Dentist Before You Whiten Their Teeth
In conclusion, there are times when whitening is safe for young people, but they should always be conscientious and watchful. Because of this, unless there are special reasons, we recommend waiting until at least the teen years. So, avoiding over-the-counter medicines that could hurt you if you take them wrong or too long is best. You can visit our dental clinic for the best teeth whitening treatment for your kids.
Teeth whitening makes your teeth look better and makes you smile more. On the other hand, dentists say that kids shouldn’t get their teeth whitened until they are at least 14 years old.
Giving their teeth time to get hard and calcified would be best. This will take another two years after the last tooth comes in. But around 16 is the best age to whiten your teeth.
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water and use it to brush your child’s teeth twice a week. As a mild bleach, hydrogen peroxide may help whiten discolored teeth. Mix it with baking soda for best results, and have your child brush their teeth with it twice a week.