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Is Your Child Old Enough For Teeth Whitening?

15 September 2022 by Christy Long

You might have noticed that your child's permanent teeth are not quite as white and bright as their baby teeth. That is probably due to the thicker layer of enamel on permanent teeth. Many parents are concerned about the color of their children's teeth. Read on to learn the important facts about teeth whitening for children.

Causes of Discoloration

In some cases, yellowed teeth are inherited. However, poor oral hygiene can also cause teeth to be dull and yellow. Children should be brushing, flossing, rinsing, and seeing their dental hygienist regularly. Things like colas, popsicles, candy with dyes, and more can also stain children's teeth. You might be surprised how much whiter your child's teeth can be just by having them attend to their oral hygiene. Discourage your child from consuming soft drinks, sports drinks, and juices with artificial dyes in them.

The Permanent Teeth Factor

Most dentists advise parents to hold off on any teeth whitening procedures until their child has a full set of permanent teeth. The age that occurs can vary from child to child. Many times, the contrast between the newly emerging permanent teeth and the remaining baby teeth can be stark and very noticeable. However, it's not practical to whiten teeth that will soon fall out. It might also make it more difficult to match teeth that were whitened at various times. In many cases, once all the permanent teeth have emerged, the permanent teeth don't appear as yellowed anymore.

Try Whitening Strips and More First

If your child wants whiter teeth, try these low-impact methods first:

• Whitening strips – These should only be used on teens that have lost their baby teeth. Watch for signs of increased sensitivity when using these strips.
• Whitening toothpaste – This can be very effective in removing stains from teeth, although the results are far from dramatic and take some time to appear.

Speak to Your Child's Dentist

If good hygiene, avoiding drinks that stain, whitening strips, and whitening toothpaste fail to whiten your child's teeth sufficiently, speak to your dentist. They can discuss with you the options for using low-bleach mixtures for in-office treatments. At-home treatments may also be available from your dentist. This method consists of trays with bleaching gel that your child will use for several minutes a day. Be sure to monitor your child's use of the bleaching agent. Overdoing it can cause serious burns to their gums.

Speak with a dentist like Dr David K Skeels to learn more. 

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