Can Children and Teens Get Their Teeth Whitened?

Here, our Cornwall dentists share the reasons why they don't recommend teeth whitening treatments for children and young teens.

Our Cornwall dentists don’t recommend teeth whitening for children and teens because this cosmetic treatment isn't suitable for young people for two main reasons:

1. Their teeth most likely aren't discoloured.

Parents sometimes notice that their children’s erupting adult teeth look a bit yellow, especially when compared to the baby teeth that remain in the mouth. As a result, they ask whether it would make sense to have their children’s teeth whitened.

However, it’s completely normal for adult teeth to look more yellow than baby teeth. This happens because adult teeth contain significantly more dentin (the layer of the teeth directly beneath the enamel). Dentin is yellow in colour and can make the adult teeth appear unusually yellow when they’re next to baby teeth in the mouth.

This perceived discolouration typically sorts itself out once all the baby teeth have fallen out. For this reason, whitening is usually completely unnecessary for children and young teens.

2. We don’t know if it's safe to whiten developing teeth.

Most dentists won't whiten children’s teeth because we simply don’t know if it’s safe to do so. There is little data available to tell us what the effects of whitening agents would be on teeth that are still developing, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Potential Causes of Tooth Discolouration in Children

Here are some possible causes of tooth discolouration in children:

• Pigmentation due to food and beverage stains
• Poor dental hygiene habits
• Tooth decay
• Intake of medications that contain iron (vitamin supplements)
• Nerve damage or tooth trauma
• Excessive fluoride due to the use of infant formula combined with fluoridated water
• Medical conditions that hinder teeth development during infancy
• Decalcification of enamel due to the removal of braces
• Mother is taking tetracycline while pregnant or breastfeeding

Ways to Prevent Staining

Since teeth whitening procedures are not an option, your child or teen can still help prevent staining and discolouration with the use of whitening toothpaste. Additionally, foods and drinks that cause staining, such as dark sodas, can be avoided.

If you want to learn more about teeth whitening for children, you can reach out to one of the dentists at Dr. Rachel Navaneelan & Associates.

Contact our Cornwall dentists and schedule an appointment to learn more about teeth whitening services or your child's oral development.