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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 professional cleaning to remove light tartar and staining caused from food, old plaque, and tobacco.

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 minor yellowing or discoloration, over the counter whitening gel or strips may brighten your teeth, however these products tend to come with a lower concentration of bleaching product (carbamide peroxide) and take longer to see results.

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 severely stained or damaged teeth, your dentist may recommend porcelain veneers, bonding, or even full 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.

There can be drawbacks to making your teeth whiter. The strong bleaching solutions can cause temporary teeth sensitivity during or after the treatment. This side effect will resolve itself shortly after your treatment is finished. If you already suffer with daily teeth sensitivity, whitening may not be a good option as it can increase the sensitivity of your teeth. A history of gum disease with resulting gum recession will also be a contraindication since your gums and teeth may be irritated by the strong solutions.

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.

If the discoloration of your teeth are due to old existing fillings, crowns, or bonding, bleaching won’t lighten these restorations. Ask your dentist about replacing these old restorations or the option of veneering over them.

Find out the condition of your dental health by seeing an Orange dentist or Santa Monica dentist today for an evaluation!