Teeth Whitening: How Young Is Too Young?

The teenage years can mark a change in a person's self-awareness, including an awareness of how that self looks to the outside world. Young people will begin to pay more attention to their wardrobe and grooming, and this can include their smile. Although your teenager may want to begin to whiten their teeth, is this really going to be a safe choice for them?

The Mid-Teens

There's no universal age when it's appropriate to begin teeth whitening. This is typically in the mid-teens, although everyone develops at a slightly different rate. The last of your child's baby teeth have generally been lost by around the age of 12. Despite the fact that a child now has all their permanent, adult teeth, this isn't a green light to go white.

The Development of Teeth

The appearance of adult teeth doesn't signal the end of the development of these teeth. The calcification (hardening and strengthening) of dental enamel will continue for several years after adult teeth have erupted from the gums. This means that dental enamel at this age still has some vulnerability, and can be damaged from the potentially abrasive effects of a teeth whitening gel. Additionally, the dental pulp (the nerve inside a tooth) is disproportionately larger than the tooth that surrounds it, which can lead to increased sensitivity while whitening. This imbalance will correct itself as the tooth's dentin and enamel slowly reach their full size over the next few years.

Some Caution Is Appropriate

Even though your teen may want to begin whitening their teeth, some caution is appropriate. It's helpful to ask your family dentist for their recommendation, with a professional assessment as to whether your child's teeth have developed to the point where whitening won't cause any enamel damage or excessive sensitivity. For maximum safety, and to avoid any unforeseen complications, you may wish to have your dentist whiten your teen's teeth, with your teen then only needing to maintain these results. Ask the dentist to customise an applicator tray for your child to use at home, which ensures a precise fit. But what are your teen's options before their dentist gives them the go-ahead to begin whitening?

Other Options in the Meantime

In the meantime, whitening toothpaste is generally appropriate, if not necessarily for everyday use. These kinds of toothpaste can be abrasive, allowing them to literally buff away surface stains. This isn't always healthy for developing, partially permeable teenage enamel, so it might be wise to use it on alternating days. Regular dental checkups also play a part, with scaling and polishing teeth being very effective at removing surface stains, which can help to whiten teeth.

It's smart to consult your dentist before your teen begins whitening their teeth. Starting too early, or whitening too intensively can be detrimental to young adult teeth.

For more information on teeth whitening, contact a professional near you.