In general, children are clean slates. As the years start to stack up, health problems of all sorts can arise. With the modern American diets of children, exposure to certain medications, and the general injuries that can occur from an active childhood, sometimes tooth discoloration can be an earlier problem than expected. We get this question often: is teeth whitening possible and safe for young children? At about what age can children, adolescents, or teens be exposed to teeth whitening?
Research Study on Adolescents and Teens
Scientific research studies have taken on this very topic to try to better understand the effects of teeth whitening on children. In one particular clinical trial, 106 kids between the ages of 11 and 18 were exposed to two different teeth whitening systems. Half the group implemented hydrogen peroxide strips twice-a-day for 30 minute sessions. The other half of the study volunteers were given a carbamide peroxide tray kit that they wore all night while they slept. This went on for eight weeks total, looking at the maxillary arches for the first four weeks and the mandibular arches for the following four weeks.
Whitening for Teens with Caution
Both whitening systems seemed to have positive and healthy results in the adolescents and teens, though the 10% carbamide peroxide tray system showed more significant whitening on mandibular teeth. No reports of tooth sensitivity or irritation were reported. Still, most dentists generally won’t consider offering teeth whitening to any child under the age of 13. Dr. Brent Engelberg is one cosmetic dentist who will whiten teenagers aged 13 and up. Until further research can offer irrefutable proof, there’s no sense in exposing a developing body to any questionable chemicals. When in doubt, simply schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist.
ABOUT YOUR EVANSTON DENTIST:
Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.
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