One of the reasons pediatric dentists suggest waiting on teeth whitening for kids is because the concentration of hydrogen peroxide used in most teeth whitening strips can lead to sensitivity, especially in kids.
The GDC guidelines state that products containing hydrogen peroxide in a concentration ranging between 0.1% and 6% cannot be applied to patients under age with the exception of unique cases of disease.
Many dentists recommend that teeth whitening takes place no earlier than age 14 when all the permanent teeth are in because primary teeth can be more vulnerable than their permanent counterparts. Waiting until around age 14, when the tooth pulp is fully formed, will translate into less sensitivity from teeth whitening.
However, children under age 18 can have their teeth professionally whitened, provided they meet certain criteria. This includes having all permanent teeth already erupted, the enamel on permanent teeth being completely calcified, and is finished with all orthodontic treatments.
This is usually when they turn 12 to 14 years old. Even at that, you need to allow their teeth to harden and become calcified. This requires two more years after the last tooth erupts. Simply put, the ideal age to have the teeth whitened is around 16 years old.
Don't panic- there could be several reasons this can happen. The first and most anticipated reason behind your child's yellow, stained or discolored teeth could be the result of poor hygiene, a side effect of medication, tooth decay, tooth trauma, decalcification, or even genetics.
Teeth whitening improves the appearance of your teeth and improves your smile. However, dentists recommend waiting until children are at least 14 years old before considering teeth whitening for kids.
If your child is between the ages of 6-13, their baby (primary) teeth will start to fall out, and their adult teeth will erupt. Often, their new adult teeth may have a yellowish color, especially compared to their remaining baby teeth.
Adult teeth will eventually lose their yellow shade, brightening and whitening over time. If your child's teeth are uneven in their coloring now because their permanent teeth are erupting, just give it some time. As long as they follow good oral hygiene practices, the color should even out into a white smile again.
Teeth whitening is not recommended for children under the age of 16. This is because the pulp of the teeth (in the centre of the tooth) is enlarged until this age and whitening the teeth could irritate this pulp, causing sensitivity. Teeth whitening is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating.
The right age for teeth whitening really depends on your dentist and on your teen. Many dentists recommend that teeth whitening is done no earlier than age 14-16.
Highly pigmented foods like blueberries and tomato sauce and beverages, such as soda, energy drinks and fruit juice can stain kids' teeth, making them look yellow. To avoid this, have kids rinse their mouth out with water after eating or drinking anything pigmented and be diligent about brushing.
Dental Whitening Strips
Thin strips of plastic coated in chemical whiteners that a person can buy in the store and use at home. Who should use them? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says whitening strips aren't safe for kids and teens under the age of 15 due to a lack of research and testing.
The primary teeth (baby teeth) have thinner enamel and dentin. They also have a larger pulp. Because teeth whitening can cause increased sensitivity and pain in some patients, it is risky to bleach young children's teeth. Moreover, because the primary teeth will ultimately be lost, the results would be short-lived.
“Generally speaking, whitening kits are not harmful to your teeth,” explains Dr. Greg Scheier, DDS of Scheier Dental Group. “There are, however, potential temporary sensitivities, both in the teeth and gums, that may result from the use of both over-the-counter and dentist-administered whitening kits.”
Whitening toothpaste offers some improvement in whiteness and has few side effects. As long as these pastes also contain fluoride, they're usually OK for preteens to use occasionally, even if they still have a few baby teeth, says Dr. Hayes.
Although it takes years for teeth to take on a yellow hue, you may not have noticed this slow process taking place. You see your teeth every day and probably didn't notice the slight discoloration occurring. Thankfully, yellow teeth aren't forever.
Their Permanent Teeth Are Starting to Erupt
If your child is old enough to start getting their permanent teeth (usually age 6-7), you may notice that these teeth look a bit more yellow compared to their baby teeth. Don't worry. This is normal.
Even with daily brushing, certain foods and drinks can cause stained teeth. For example, frequently drinking coffee, tea and wine can all lead to yellow teeth. In addition, even regular brushing cannot always combat yellow teeth caused by smoking cigarettes.
In fact, both men and women commonly find yellow teeth a turn-off at best and a deal breaker at worst. Studies have actually shown that both men and women find yellow teeth a worse characteristic in a potential date than spotty skin or bad table manners.
Teeth whitening treatments usually work by stripping or entering the outer enamel layer, which makes teeth weaker if done many times. So, more often than not, yellow teeth are actually stronger than pearly white ones–so long as they're cleaned regularly.
Genetics Can Affect the Appearance of the Teeth
And in fact, genetics can impact the color of a person's teeth. Thicker, whiter enamel can run in families, just as more transparent tooth enamel can be inherited. Many people have genetically yellow teeth that don't respond well to store-bought whiteners or toothpastes.
However, there is no set age where you are too old for a teeth whitening procedure. In fact, as long as you are in good overall health and your dentist agrees that a whitening procedure is safe for you, there is no upper age limit on this procedure.
But tooth whitening comes with a few risks, and it's not right for some ages. If you're younger than 18, you can't have some forms of tooth whitening. And if you still have your baby teeth, you might need to skip any type of whitening product altogether. No upper age limit applies to tooth whitening products.
Dentists typically recommend getting one or two professional whitening treatments per year. At-home whitening kits can be used for up to 14 consecutive days. People who have gotten professional whitening can maintain their results by using these kits a few times a year.