Have you ever wondered what the minimum age for teeth whitening is? The consensus among dental professionals is a patient should be at least 14 years of age to bleach their teeth. Bleaching younger than 14 years could increase the chances of irreversible damage to the nerves of your child’s teeth. Your best options would be to visit your local dentist and get a professional recommendation on the best method to lighten your teeth. Your dentist will examine how bad the staining is and the overall condition of your teeth. Some possible recommendations may include:
1) A thorough dental cleaning to scale off the tartar and remove the stain caused from tobacco use, food, and plaque.
2) Using a whitening toothpaste at home to polish off light stains. This technique does not lighten the internal color of your teeth.
3) For slight yellow discolorations, your dentist may recommend over the counter gel or strips. The disadvantage of these products is it takes longer to remove the discoloration because the concentration of bleaching product (carbamide peroxide) is lower than products used in the dental office.
4) For deeper stains or yellowing, in-office bleaching and/or home bleaching may be recommended. In office bleaching (chairside) bleaching solutions used by your dentist are stronger and contain a higher concentration of carbamide peroxide so you’ll see noticeable results in as little as one appointment. Home bleaching systems consist of a set of custom made mouthguards along with tubes of concentrated bleaching gel. Depending on the concentration of the bleaching gel, you’ll wear the trays from as little as twice a day to as long as overnight.
5) For heavily stained or damaged teeth, your dentist may suggest porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, or full coverage crowns to correct the problem.
The most effective treatment option depends on proper diagnosis of your staining. Only your dentist is best qualified to determine which option is best for you.
While brightening your teeth has a long record of safety, there are some temporary side effects you need to be aware of. Short term sensitivity during and immediately after the procedure can occur and the symptoms resolve shortly after discontinuing treatment. If you have a history of sensitive teeth, teeth whitening may not be a good choice for you. If you have active gum disease, this procedure may be contraindicated as it may cause increased irritation of your gums.
If your teeth suffer from a brown/grayish stain or have mottling from previous tetracycline or flouride treatment, bleaching won’t be the treatment of choice. Teeth with these pre-existing conditions bleach unevenly. A better option to discuss with your dentist is cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers.
You should also be aware that bleaching will not lighten the color of your existing fillings, caps, or bonding. A better option to discuss with your dentist would be the replacement of all your old fillings and crowns or the possibility of veneering over them.
Find out the condition of your dental health by seeing an or today for an evaluation!
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