Teeth Whitening for Children

Is It Safe?

Making Your Child’s Smile Brighter: Best Teeth Whitening For Kids

Many parents want to brighten their child’s smile, but many parents don’t know what age is appropriate to whiten teeth or what’s the best way to go about it. The most important thing to know is that if you are considering teeth whitening for your child, you should have some concerns and take extra care not to interfere with their dental health.

Some of the complications with teeth whitening and using a strong solution of hydrogen peroxide can be:

1. Gingival Irritation After the Bleaching Process

Any type of gingival irritation can be traumatic for kids. Approximately one out of every two children encounters irritation after bleaching. Why? Because over the counter bleaching systems have hydrogen peroxide and a one size fits all whitening tray. Unfortunately, because the whitening trays are made to fit everyone, the whitening gel spills out onto the gums, which leads to gingival irritation.

2. Bleached Gums

If teeth whitening is not done correctly, it can even lead to bleached gums, and some bleaching chemicals are not suitable for use by children. Some bleaching agents can do more harm than good.

Dentists recommend the use of bleaching products that contain no more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. A whitening product that is highly concentrated could prove disastrous. Under severe circumstances, the use of hydrogen peroxide chemicals can cause damage, such as permanent bleaching.

3. Teeth/Tooth Sensitivity

Any teeth whitening procedure can cause teeth sensitivity in children. Because kids have underdeveloped teeth, bleaching chemicals can penetrate under the tooth and reach the nerves. In the end, children will experience some discomfort when eating or drinking.

Generally, the sensitivity is temporary, but it can last for a few days or even a few weeks.

What is the minimum age for whitening?

Many people seem indecisive when deciding what age is safe to expose their kids to teeth whitening products. The fact is that there is no hard-fast rule or age specification for teeth whitening. In the end, it all depends upon the condition of your child’s teeth.

When it comes to whitening, baby teeth tend to be on the sensitive side. Permanent teeth, however, respond well to many whitening products such as a gel.

It is always a good idea to start whitening after all baby teeth must have fallen out, and adult teeth are present. After 13 years of age, a child will have mostly permanent teeth. The consensus is that many dentists consider the age of 14 the most appropriate age to begin the whitening process. Pediatric dentists will also reinforce the recommendation of not using bleaching products until all baby teeth have fallen out.

When kids turn 13 years of age, the best products to whiten yellow teeth in kids are products containing hydrogen peroxide or carbide peroxide. Coating your child’s teeth for approximately 30 minutes with a hydrogen peroxide or carbide peroxide solution will make their teeth appear whiter than before. However, any hydrogen peroxide product used should have a low concentration for your child’s health and safety. If a product is highly concentrated, it can have adverse effects on your child’s teeth and create extreme sensitivity. Ultimately, it is best to choose professional teeth whitening products versus store-bought whitening systems.

commonly asked questions about teeth whitening in children

teeth whitening before kid patient treatment

teeth whitening after kid patient treatment

What is the safest way to brighten yellow teeth in kids?

The safest at-home teeth whitening procedure for kids is to brush with baking soda.

Kids build up plaque easier than adults, which makes the teeth appear yellow. Brushing with baking soda can be an easy, at-home solution that is safe for teeth whitening in children.

Are there any home remedies for children to brighten their smile?

Using a small amount of baking soda and brushing your child’s teeth with a children’s toothbrush (because it’s softer) can be highly effective.

If you desire the use of stronger products that contain hydrogen peroxide, you should look for a skilled children’s dentist. This dentist must be licensed and should have a good reputation. You can search Google for the “best dentist near me reviews” or ask others in the community for their recommendations on the “best children’s dentist.”

Besides whitening services, children’s dentists can also offer advice regarding other beneficial procedures for your children, such as gum treatment, cavity protection, etc. After all, you love your kids and looking for a skilled children’s dentists to benefit their overall well-being goes to prove that in addition, a children’s dentist can also ensure that teeth whitening will not negatively impact your child’s teeth or gums. Brushing with baking soda can dramatically help to whiten children’s yellow teeth safely at home.

Which toothpaste is the best for teeth whitening in children?

An easier way to achieve and maintain teeth whitening in children is to use toothpaste rather than chemical products. It’s also good to introduce good oral hygiene habits like tooth brushing at a young age. A great home care routine can help your child maintain clean, white teeth for a lifetime.

Are teeth whitening strips safe for kids?

The recommendations for whitening strips are standard in that they are not a good idea because they are a “one size fits” product. Whitening strips are not considered safe for use on children under the age of 15, according to the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry). Store-purchased trays are not custom made and lead to spillage of whitening solution onto the gums. This spilled solution leads to extreme sensitivity. Professional whitening systems from the dentist offer custom made trays, thus preventing whitening solution from being spilled.

What about the best whitening toothpaste for kids?

There are kid-sized toothbrushes that are suitable for children and will make brushing easier for them. When brushing, it is recommended that kids use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, and when finished, they should be sure to get rid of any excess toothpaste through spitting in the sink or using a cup with water to rinse. For example, fluoride toothpaste, such as Mystic by Crest®, can also be a huge help in maintaining clean, healthy teeth for children. As for the “best whitening” toothpaste for your child, look for the toothpaste that has some hydrogen peroxide added to it.

Does charcoal toothpaste work for whitening teeth in kids?

There is very little scientific or clinical research to support any claims of charcoal toothpaste safety or efficacy as a whitening agent. Although charcoal tooth products tend to make teeth feel incredibly smooth and clean, there are some disadvantages to using them routinely. Charcoal has more abrasive particles than those generally found in toothpaste. Therefore, repeated use could potentially erode tooth enamel, making teeth more prone to collecting stains. Also, enamel erosion increases sensitivity and, at some point, could contribute to gum tissue recession around the teeth. Gum recession, unfortunately, can make teeth more prone to decay. It is important to remember that any time a highly abrasive substance is applied to the teeth, the enamel is eroded. When enamel is eroded, it exposes the inner layer of dentin beneath the enamel. This creates a more yellow tooth appearance over time due to the thinning of the enamel layer.

Ultimately, the use of charcoal toothpaste in children, just like adults, is not recommended.

Who can do teeth whitening for children?

If you are considering using a strong solution of hydrogen peroxide a children’s dentist is the only person you should consider for whitening your child’s teeth. Professional teeth whitening solutions for kids have powerful whitening agents and custom-made trays to deliver the whitening solution without burning gums.

What are the best teeth whitening solutions for children?

The single best teeth whitening solution for children of age (14 or older) is professional, whitening. In-office whitening is done with the help of a skilled dentist.

The Bottom Line About Teeth Whitening for Children Explained

Teeth whitening for children seems to be growing in popularity today. If you are considering this procedure for your child, be sure to do your research first and make sure you enlist a qualified dental professional.

While there remains skepticism about teeth whitening for children, it isn’t entirely off the table. The biggest thing to remember is that your child’s teeth are still sensitive, and you must be careful. A surefire way to create a beautiful smile is to instill healthy brushing habits at home at an early age, but if you are thinking about teeth whitening for children, seek the opinion of a trusted dental professional or your children’s dentist in Lincoln, NE. They’ll have excellent ideas and likely other options for you to try as they too know that there is nothing better than a happy, healthy, confident smile!