Teenagers tend to follow the crowd when it comes to the latest trends. Once a friend or classmate shows up to school flaunting a freshly whitened smile, it’s incredibly likely that your child will soon be coming to you asking for a DIY teeth whitening kit. As these types of at-home whitening products become more available, it’s vital to understand the risks and possible side effects of applying teeth whitening products to a developing smile.
In most cases, teeth whitening is safe for teens who are hoping to achieve a whiter smile. However, there are essential things to keep in mind when it comes to all teeth-whitening products.
Teeth Whitening Risks For Teens
Potential Dangers of most teeth whitening products such as whitening strips, gels, and pens increase for kids and teens due to the products utilizing hydrogen peroxide solution as a primary ingredient. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in many of these whitening treatments is up to 13%, and as the concentration level raises, the higher the chance of adverse effects on young teeth. Primary teeth have thinner enamel and dentin and larger pulp (the living connective tissue inside the teeth) than permanent teeth do.
Teens can easily misuse teeth whitening products. The strong chemicals used as whitening agents can lead to:
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Dentin demineralization
- Variations in tooth coloration
- Damage to the gum tissue
- Injured tooth or pulp nerves
- Enamel pitting and disintegration
The Right Age To Whiten
The right age for teeth whitening depends on your dentist’s recommendation and your teen. Most dentists agree that teeth whitening should be done no earlier than age 14-16. Many pre-teens do not have all of their permanent teeth yet, so it’s best not to undergo teeth whitening until all adult teeth are present, and there are no longer any baby teeth in your child’s mouth.
Teeth whitening should be considered on an individual basis, so if your child already has all of their adult teeth by 13, they may be ready for whitening products.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Dentists strongly recommend that in-office laser teeth whitening treatments are ideal for teenagers who want a brighter smile. These professional treatments allow for a quick and easy whitening process that is proven to be safe without room for user-error.
During an in-office whitening treatment, your teen’s eyes and gums are fully protected from the laser light to ensure safety. After whitening, there will be an immediate difference with no mess or complications.
Whitening Strips
At-home whitening kids come in the form of strips or gels. These whitening products are applied directly to the teeth with a brush or in the form of a thin strip. At-home kids are not customized to each patient, which can result in an improper fit leading to gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. These products are intended to be applied daily for up to two weeks.
Whitening Toothpaste
Brushing teeth thoroughly twice a day with whitening toothpaste will help to prevent stains and remove surface stains. Brushing with a mild whitening toothpaste is far more gentle than using products with bleach. Always check with your dentist to ensure that whitening toothpaste is safe and appropriate for your child’s teeth before using a specific product.
Custom Dental Trays and Gel
Custom whitening trays can be made for your teen to ensure the treatment is personalized and will yield great results. Custom made dental trays will be created from impressions taken in our office, and a professional-strength whitening gel will help to whiten your teen’s smile over two weeks.
In-Office Teeth Cleaning
Having your child’s teeth thoroughly and properly cleaned every six months will help to keep their smile bright and white. If teeth cleanings aren’t enough, talk to your dentist about professional in-office whitening treatments. Together, we can evaluate the state of your teen’s oral health, and offer assistance in how to help them achieve a healthy and white smile.
Always consult with a trusted dentist before starting any teeth-whitening treatments for your teen. Call Elite Dental & Denture PC today so we can help your child avoid any potentially-painful side effects common with at-home teeth whitening.
FAQs
In-office whitening is highly effective, safe, and long-lasting. But it's more expensive than over-the-counter options, and often isn't covered by dental insurance. Ask your dentist for a cost estimate before committing to teeth whitening.
Why do dentists not recommend teeth whitening? ›
Tooth and gum sensitivity and pain
Store-bought products may contain abrasive substances like hydrogen peroxide, which can be effective if used minimally, but in large doses can cause erosion of teeth's enamel and shrinkage of the gums.
Is 6% hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth whitening? ›
Choose the right concentration: A low concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide (around 3% to 6%) is safe to use for teeth whitening usually without any side effects. Hydrogen Peroxide can produce certain side effects like gum or tooth sensitivity if used often in high concentration.
What are the side effects of teeth whitening? ›
The potential side effects of teeth whitening include teeth sensitivity, gum irritation, and ineffective results. However, most patients do not experience any notable side effects from professional teeth whitening, as the dentist can monitor the process and perform treatment in a way that minimizes risk.
What is the safest method of teeth whitening? ›
Custom-fitted trays and in-office treatments are the safest and most effective ways to whiten teeth. ADA-approved over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, and strips are more affordable and convenient options.
Is there anything bad about teeth whitening? ›
What are the risks of teeth whitening? No matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.
Can teeth whitening cause long-term damage? ›
However, teeth whitening treatments can cause damage to the enamel if not done correctly or overused. Enamel damage can lead to increased sensitivity, pain, and white spots on your teeth. It's essential to consult with a dentist before using any teeth whitening products to ensure they're safe for your teeth.
Can yellow teeth become white again? ›
2. Can yellow teeth be bleached? Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.
Do all teeth whitening damage enamel? ›
But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel. The process of tooth whitening is essentially the tooth will become dehydrated, meaning dried out.
How to get whiter teeth naturally? ›
For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
- Eat Strawberries. ...
- Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
- Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
- Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Apply Coconut Oil. ...
- Brush Your Tongue. ...
- Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.
As the baking soda only removes stains from the surface level of the teeth and not the enamel it can be passable at removing light stains such as coffee and food, but you might not notice a big difference for four to six weeks.
How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›
Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.
Can kids use teeth whitening? ›
Instead of whitening their child's teeth when they are young, parents should wait until the child is at least 14 before using teeth whitening products, in order to make sure the pulp in their teeth is fully formed.
Who shouldn't get teeth whitening on? ›
If you are allergic to peroxide, you will not be able to have your teeth whitened, since peroxide is the active ingredient in whitening systems. If you have a lot of fillings, dental bonding or crowns, you may not be a candidate for dental whitening.
What are the downsides of teeth whitening? ›
WHAT ARE THE CONS OF TEETH WHITENING? One of the most common complaints about teeth whitening is mild gum irritation and sensitivity. In addition, higher concentrations of products left on for more extended periods can intensify sensitivity.
Is dentist teeth whitening worth it? ›
Because when a qualified and experienced dentist oversees it, teeth whitening is actually a perfectly safe procedure. Moreover, it produces brilliant results that can transform your smile and let your personality shine through. Safety and satisfaction are worth paying a little extra for, don't you think?
Who is not suitable for teeth whitening? ›
Not everyone is the right candidate for teeth whitening. For example, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get whitening. People who have dental bridges or crowns may want to talk to their dentist before considering whitening. Children should be at least 16 to get this type of treatment.
Will teeth whitening hurt my teeth? ›
Although the procedure is considered safe and non-invasive, there are still some risks involved. It is not recommended to people with sensitive enamel, because the teeth whitening process uses chemicals. These chemicals aren't very friendly to dental enamel and can cause problems for people with worn down enamel.
