Should Children Use Whitening Products?

We often want our teeth to look as white as they were when we were young. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth and the beautiful smiles are a result of it. However, in some cases, you may find some discoloration or staining of the lovely first teeth. You might be tempted to apply any whitening product on your child’s teeth, but hold on before you do that.

Causes of Staining

• Improper brushing is one of the leading causes of stains says the dentist in Omaha. Children lose the whiteness on their tooth’s surface when plaque gets built up on the surface. Careful brushing is needed for removing bacteria and plaque. If children aren’t brushing their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, discoloration may happen.
• Medications can also be a cause of staining. When medications are given in liquid form or when added to the formula, iron supplements can cause dark gray staining on the teeth.
• If your tooth suffers a serious injury, it can become dark because of the changes inside the enamel.
• Health conditions can also cause tooth discoloration and sometime children are born with weaker enamel which is more likely to stain.

If you notice any staining or discoloration on your child’s teeth, it is time to connect with the dentist in NE, 68132. He will explain what can help in getting rid of the stains.

Why Can’t You Buy Home Whitening Kit For Your Child?

• The whitening kits are designed for adults and they have been tested on adults only, during trials. You can check the box for age appropriate use but most products are not for pre-teens.
• Children have thinner enamel and delicate skin so they need to be cautious about using a bleaching agent that can cause sensitivity even in adults.
• There is no evidence available about the long and short term effects of using the whitening products on children.

As responsible parents, you must imbibe good oral care habits in your child from a tender age and take them to dentist for regular visits to prevent stains/ discoloration.