How Young is Too Young for Teeth Whitening?
Learn why teeth whitening is not advise for kids under 16.
Kids naturally have bright, white teeth, but poor oral hygiene can easily lead to discoloration by the teen years if parents aren’t careful to instill good habits in their kids and take them to get professional dental cleanings on a regular basis.
If your teenager is self-conscious about the color of their teeth, you might naturally wonder if teeth whitening products could help. Here’s what you need to know.
Kids Are Not Ready for Bleaching Products
Whether you are talking about an over-the-counter product like a whitening gel, strip, or tray, or a professional teeth whitening treatment at the dentist, if a bleaching agent is involved the product is not suitable for kids under 16.
Why?
Two reasons:
First, kids and tweens have “mixed teeth.” This means that they may have some permanent teeth and some baby teeth in their mouths. If bleaching is done while the child has a mix of permanent and baby teeth, it may be difficult to get new permanent teeth that come in after the bleaching procedure to match the ones that have already been bleached once.
Secondly, even once the permanent teeth are all in, it takes a while for the enamel to mature and become fully calcified. During this maturation process, the tooth will be more permeable and the pulp will be enlarged. If bleaching is done during this time, more of the whitening agent may permeate into the pulp chamber of the tooth than the manufacturer intended. This can cause problems with nerve sensitivity far in excess of the slight sensitivity that is normal after a whitening treatment.
Other Options for Keeping Kids’ Teeth White
Fortunately, teeth whitening products are not the only tools we have at our disposal for helping kids under 16 keep their smiles white and bright. Here are some other options for you to consider:
Whitening Toothpastes: There are two kinds of whitening toothpastes: those that whiten with peroxide or some other bleaching agent, and those that contain agents designed to help polish away surface stains and prevent discoloration in the first place. This second kind of whitening toothpaste may safely be used by young teens.
Healthy Diet: Many of the foods and beverages that stain kids’ teeth aren’t very healthy anyway. For example, simply avoiding dark sodas can be very helpful in preventing stains. Eating lots of fresh, crunchy fruits and veggies such as carrots can also help scrub away teeth’s pellicle layer, a layer of protein that could otherwise hold stains.
Proper Oral Hygiene: Of course, the number one way to help keep kids’ teeth looking nice and white is to encourage them to practice proper oral hygiene, including brushing after each meal and flossing once per day.
