Best Teeth Whitening for Kids and Teens

Everyone wants a “wow” smile. Although this starts with a healthy smile, a little extra whitening may be desired. Teeth whitening, a bleaching process to whiten or lighten tooth color, is most commonly accomplished with chemical oxidizing agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, alone or in the presence with light, acting as an activating agent.

Although considered a type of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening may be an important psychological boost to a person, whether an adolescent or an adult, embarrassed by off-colored or stained teeth. Focus on the whiteness of one’s teeth may be an off-shoot of media perceptions of unrealistic beauty that is imposed upon the general public.

However, as noted by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a negative self image due to discolored teeth can evoke serious consequences for kids and teens.

Many factors interact to cause discoloration of teeth. Tooth discoloration is a function of the age of an individual and of environmental lifestyle choices. Teeth darken as we age. Underneath the enamel, the hard, outer white covering of a tooth, is the softer region termed the dentin, with a yellowish tinge. As one ages, the enamel thins thereby allowing the yellow dentin to be more pronounced.

Factors Contributing to Teeth Discoloration

Lifestyle choices that affect tooth whiteness include:

• Tobacco use
• Drinking colored beverages, such as:
  • tea
  • coffee
  • wine
  • sports drinks
  • cola

For the pediatric dentists including Dr. Babich, yellowing teeth due to aging is not an issue. Baby teeth are whiter than adult or permanent teeth. Thus, a pediatric dentist Dr. Sara Babich focus may be directed to teens, especially those who smoke or consume large amounts of colored beverages.

Other factors that may cause discoloration of adolescent teeth include:

• Traumatic injury to a tooth
• Irregularities in coloration of a permanent tooth due to infection or trauma of the related primary tooth
• Exposure to medications, such as tetracycline.

The adolescent patient, may have unrealistic expectation from teeth whitening. For example, the whitener will not affect the color of bonding or tooth colored fillings. Thus, if these materials were placed in the front teeth, after whitening, the front teeth may not match the other newly whitened natural teeth.

If tooth discoloration was due to smoking, the adolescent should be encouraged to refrain from continued smoking, especially during the whitening process. Adverse side effects associated with teeth bleaching include:

• irritation to the gums
• increased teeth sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweets

Which is a transient situation that will resolve in a short time.

Whitening methods vary. In-office bleaching often employs a light-cured protective layer that is applied to the gums to reduce sensitivity. The bleaching agent used either is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

To accelerate the whitening process, the dentist may use light, usually within the blue light spectrum, which enhances the hydrogen peroxide bleaching reaction.

Teeth Whitening Procedure on Upper East Side

The whitening procedure is as follows:

1. the gums are covered with a protective barrier;
2. a professional hydrogen peroxide gel is applied to the teeth;
3. the gel-covered teeth are exposed to a light source, either halogen, LED, or plasma. A typical bleaching procedure may last from 0.5 to 1 hour

Dr. Sara Babich, pediatric dentl specialist and a leading teeth whitening dentist on Upper East Side may recommend an at-home bleaching maintenance program. For your child’s safety you should follow the suggestions of the pediatric dentist, and, of course, of the manufacturer of the product.

For most dental procedures, including teeth whitening, supervision by a qualified dental professional is suggested. Issues such as the overall health of the oral cavity, including gum disease, tooth restorations, existing areas of tooth decay, gum sensitivity, etc. should be evaluated, as well as the degree of whitening required to reach the desired and safe results.

An adolescent with an unhealthy obsession with tooth whitening, termed “bleachorexia,” may over-bleach his/her teeth, damaging both teeth and gums. Under appropriate supervision by a qualified NYC kids and teens dentist such as Dr. Babich, teeth whitening should be safe and may spark up your life.

Why Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening Treatments Shouldn’t Be Used on Kids?

Although there are lots of teeth whitening treatments available over-the-counter, it’s important to always remember that teeth whitening is a dental treatment. When performed incorrectly or on
teeth that are very sensitive, or which have signs of tooth decay, it can cause many problems not to mention the possibility of quite a lot of pain.

Your child’s pediatric dentist Dr. Sara Babich will be able to carefully examine your child’s teeth and can discuss if teeth whitening is a suitable treatment for them and if so how and when it can be used.

Although your kid may want the beautifully white smile of their pop idol or favorite actor or actress, it’s far more important that their teeth are strong and healthy. Your pediatric dentist can discuss these points with your kid, helping them understand why they need good dental health, especially as they still have the rest of their life to enjoy the benefits of cosmetic dentistry.

Do you have any questions about the teeth whitening for kids and teens we offer in NYC? Would you like to schedule an appointment with the best in class New York City pediatric dentist and a top teeth whitening specialist Dr. Sara Babich? Please call our office at 212-988-4070 or visit our kids dentistry Manhattan center on Upper East Side.

Pediatric Dentistry: Dr. Sara B. Babich, DDS
116 E 84th St
New York, NY 10028
(84th St. btw Park Ave / Lex Ave)
☎ 212-988-4070

Contact us today to learn more about our
New York City pediatric dentistry practice (212) 988-4070