Discolored teeth can hinder anyone’s facial appearance. While baby teeth are naturally whiter, some parents worry about the color of adult teeth. Side by side, baby teeth are typically brighter and whiter than adult teeth. We’ll admit that this mismatch of shades might look a little strange initially. But, this is perfectly normal, and as your child gets more adult teeth, their smiles will balance out in color. Still, some instances warrant cosmetic teeth whitening for teenagers.
Our Approach to Teeth Whitening for Kids
Even if an at-home teeth whitening kit for kids might be available for purchase online, a child’s mouth is still growing and requires specialized attention. Instead of subjecting your child’s teeth to potentially harmful do-it-yourself methods, Dr. Kruti Sanghavi will carefully monitor the health and appearance of your kid’s smile and discuss our professional teething whitening method and other dental esthetic treatments are suitable for them and if so, when it can be used.
Would my kid benefit from teeth whitening?
While several external and internal factors can lead to discoloration, here are a few reasons that your kid’s smile might seem a little off in color:
- Poor oral hygiene
- A diet rich in staining foods and drinks
- Certain medications
- Trauma and dental infections
- Weaker enamel
While we generally don’t recommend teeth whitening on baby (primary) teeth, an older child or teen might be interested in teeth whitening if they have a complete set of adult (permanent) teeth. Plus, it’s wise to undergo a standard dental cleaning before initiating a teeth whitening session to seriously boost results.
Steer Clear of Over-the-Counter Whitening Methods for Kids
Although many teeth whitening treatments are available over the counter, it’s crucial to remember that teeth whitening is a powerful esthetic dental treatment. When performed incorrectly on teeth that are very sensitive or not fully formed or which have signs of cavities, many problems might emerge, including the possibility of immense dental and gingival pain.
Even though your kid might want the beautiful white smile of their favorite influencer, it is far more critical that their teeth and gums are healthy, strong, and undamaged. Our pediatric dentist can discuss these arguments with your kid to help them understand why they need good dental health and of age to undergo teeth whitening—mainly because they still have the rest of their life to enjoy the advantages of esthetic dentistry.
What happens during a professional kid’s teeth whitening session?
Typically, a kid’s teeth whitening session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. First, Dr. Sanghavi shields the gums with a protective barrier to prevent gingival sensitivity (the leading adverse effect of teeth whitening). Secondly, she applies a professional-grade, hydrogen peroxide-based gel to the surface of the teeth. Finally, Dr. Sanghavi will expose the gel-covered teeth to a light source to activate the bleaching agents.
Dental Esthetics Designed for Kids
Serving Flemington, Lebanon, and Bridgewater, pediatric dentist Dr. Sanghavi can improve the way your kid’s smile looks with teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry methods. Request an appointment online or call (908) 860-8913.
