In this article
Instant teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment among adults looking to make their pearly whites glow. But can children's teeth be whitened?
This is a raging debate in the dental world, with some experts believing that you can never start too early when it comes to teeth whitening and others suggesting that simple and routine dental hygiene should be enough to keep your kids' teeth in good shape.
We asked our own experts for their take and have put together this article about whitening children's teeth, so you know some of the options available to you and your kids.
Can children's teeth be whitened?
Yes, you can whiten your child's teeth, but you need to take some precautions.
Firstly, undertaking professional cosmetic whitening isn't a viable option for most kids. After all, it's expensive, and the fact that your kids' teeth will fall out by the age of 12 doesn't make it a particularly smart investment.
If you have a teenager and you want to whiten their teeth, we recommend several at-home remedies that you can try. Most of these options are natural and include some simple changes to your kids' dental hygiene that can make a big difference to their pearly whites.
Whitening children's teeth at home
We don't recommend professional whitening for children, and strips, as well as over-the-counter whitening packs aren't necessarily the best option either. Instead, consider the following teeth whitening at-home kits that can help with whitening children's teeth naturally and without considerable expense:
Improve your kids' dental hygiene
If you notice stains or discoloration on your children's teeth, it's most likely a sign of poor dental hygiene. Therefore, improving the way your child looks after their teeth can make a big difference and will help reduce stains in the long run. Here's what to do:
☑️ Switch from a manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush to remove stubborn stains and thoroughly clean your child's teeth. Electric toothbrushes are perfectly safe for children.
☑️ Increase the frequency of brushing from once to twice or even three times a day. If you're worried about plaque, get in the habit of encouraging your kids to brush their teeth after every meal.
☑️ Use children's teeth-whitening toothpaste. Hydrogen peroxide - the main ingredient in such products - is safe for children and can help to remove stains. Some parents ask - is whitening toothpaste bad for children's teeth? - the answer is no, provided you use an ADA-recommended product and encourage good dental hygiene.
☑️ Encourage your child to use an antibacterial mouthwash. Though it's not overly pleasant, it can really help with removing bacteria from their teeth.
Change their diet
Practically all children love sweet treats, be it soda, lollipops, chocolate, or any type of candy. And while you don't want to deprive your children of these treats, limiting their intake is so important for the health of their teeth.
We recommend limiting sweet treats to specific times of the week and using them as a special treat, as opposed to giving them on a regular occurrence.
You also need to think about the foods that your children eat on a daily basis. An excess of starchy foods like white bread and pasta are bad for their teeth and can cause discoloration.
Switching to wholemeal foods and whole, healthy foods can make a big difference and will help to whiten your child's teeth naturally.
Visit the dentist regularly
You should arrange regular trips to see a pediatric dentist to help your child's teeth flourish. Regular dental exams are crucial for the healthy development of your child's teeth, as the dentist will be able to make recommendations based on how your child's teeth look.
A dentist can also suggest orthodontic care if required and will perform regular deep cleans of your kids' teeth, which will remove stains and discoloration.
Do I need to whiten my child's teeth?
No, you don't! As a parent, you have one million different things to think about, and looking after your child's dental care is just one of them.
In most cases, ensuring that your child brushes their teeth 2-3 times per day and maintains proper dental hygiene is enough to keep their teeth in good shape. You should also think carefully about what you feed your kids to help prevent tooth decay, stains, and discoloration.
If you follow these steps and take your children to the dentist 1-2 times every year, you probably won't need to whiten their teeth.
Our verdict on whitening children's teeth
Whitening children's teeth shouldn't be regarded as an essential dental procedure. If your children's teeth are showing signs of discoloration, we recommend improving their diet by reducing their intake of sugary and starchy foods, and improving their daily dental hygiene, with better brushing practices and the use of an antibacterial mouthwash.
You should also take your kids to the dentist regularly, so their teeth can be thoroughly cleaned by a professional. The dentist will also recommend any treatments or products that may help your child's teeth to sparkle.
As for cosmetic whitening, your kids might decide it's for them when they're eighteen or older, but while they're young, it's probably not the best option.
