Brightening a smile through teeth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic dental choices for people of nearly every age. Our office provides professional whitening services, and numerous at-home kits are available as well. Because these options are convenient, affordably priced, and increasingly common, many parents now ask whether whitening treatments are appropriate for their children.
Can Children Safely Have Their Teeth Whitened?
Maybe you would like to brighten your son or daughter’s smile yourself, or perhaps your tween or teenager has already asked about trying a whitening product. Either way, many parents hesitate because they are unsure whether these treatments are safe for younger patients and what risks might be involved.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) advises waiting to bleach a child’s teeth until every baby tooth has fallen out and all of the permanent teeth have fully come in. Several reasons support this waiting period, outlined below.
A Higher Chance of Sensitive Teeth
Most whitening strips and bleaching gels contain hydrogen peroxide at a concentration strong enough to cause sensitivity in patients of any age, and children can be affected even more. Whitening teeth too early in life raises a child’s odds of experiencing sensitivity and can leave them more susceptible to cavities and general tooth tenderness.
Primary Teeth Do Not Need to Be Whitened
Waiting also makes sense because primary, or baby, teeth are already naturally brighter than the permanent teeth that eventually replace them, so no additional whitening is needed. Once permanent teeth come in, factors such as diet can cause them to turn yellow over time, though by that point they are strong enough to handle a whitening treatment.
Rather than starting whitening at a young age, parents are strongly encouraged to hold off until their child turns at least 14 before introducing any whitening product. Waiting until this age allows the pulp inside the teeth to finish forming, which can lower the risk of sensitivity and improve the odds of a successful whitening outcome.
If your child currently wears braces or uses clear aligners such as Invisalign for orthodontic treatment, it is best to wait until that treatment has finished before pursuing any whitening. In addition, the first whitening experience for a child should always take place under a dentist’s care with a professional treatment, rather than starting with an at-home product.
Answers to Common Teeth Whitening Questions
What Happens During the Teeth Whitening Process?
Pigmented molecules within the mouth tend to cling to plaque, tartar, and the outer surface of the teeth, which is what creates visible discoloration. Routine dental cleanings remove much of this plaque and tartar, but staining can still develop deeper in the tooth, within a layer called dentin. A professional bleaching solution applied to the teeth reacts with oxygen from the air and carbon within the dentin, breaking apart the molecules responsible for the staining.
How Long Do Whitening Results Typically Last?
Whitening results tend to last longest for patients who eat a balanced diet, avoid smoking, steer clear of foods and drinks known to stain teeth, drink through a straw when possible, and keep up with routine dental cleanings.
Custom take-home trays paired with bleaching gel can typically keep results looking good for several months, and patients can refresh them as needed. In-office whitening, by comparison, may last anywhere from several months up to a year and can also be maintained at home afterward using custom trays. To help protect tooth enamel and gum tissue, in-office whitening is generally not recommended more than once a year.
Teeth Whitening Services at The Smile Architects
At The Smile Architects, we understand how much a bright, healthy smile can mean to patients of any age. If the shade of your teeth or any other aspect of your smile leaves you less than satisfied, share those concerns with our team. Our team can work with you to help you safely achieve the brighter, more confident smile you are looking for.
Contact our office at 704-875-1621 today to schedule your appointment.