Tooth Tips for Later Life

Is Teeth Whitening Safe for Your Child?

The primary reason that a parent thinks of performing teeth whitening on their child is the fact that yellow teeth can bring negative attention and the child may become socially distressed to the point that he or she may avoid smiling. Remember that there are primary (temporary) and permanent teeth. The temporary teeth will eventually come out; however, if your child feels embarrassed, whitening is only safe if monitored and carried out by a qualified dentist. Here are various aspects you need to be aware of when considering teeth whitening for your child.

At-Home Whitening Vs Dentist Clinic Whitening

For all young children, whitening should be carried out at the dentist's clinic. The main reason behind this is compliance problems. A child's expectations will be different from an adult or older child, where the younger child may expect unrealistic fast occurring whitening. Due to disappointments arising from unrealistic expectations, cases of whitening product/procedure abuse may arise.

When a dentist approves at-home whitening for a child, he or she expects the parent or guardian to supervise the process. You as the parent may not always know what your child is up to and may fail to note any chance of abuse. You may note that a dentist will give warnings and expect you to sign a consent form so that he or she is not liable for any product abuse.

What Happens If Your Child Abuses Teeth Whitening?

You need to be aware that for a whitening gel to be considered safe, the ingredients used must be of a certain amount or concentration. Your dentist is the only person who should provide or recommend what gel to use. In the case that your child uses a gel with the wrong ingredients, a gel that contains high levels of peroxide or your child wears the teeth whitening trays filled with gel for a longer duration than your dentist advised, he or she may end up destroying his or her teeth, gums or even tongue. Your child may also experience throat problems, and you should contact your dentist immediately if you notice any symptoms.

OTC (Over-The-Counter) Whiteners

If you have to get some over-the-counter teeth whitening products, make sure your dentist has informed you it is safe and suits your condition. Without the dentist's approval, you are asking for risks such as uneven teeth shades, pain, sensitivity, gum or tooth damage and, even worse, permanent oral damage.


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