Teenagers deal with all sorts of pressures and self esteems issues, and their appearance are high on that list; so, what do you do when they say their smile isn't as bright and white as they want it to be? As parents, we strive to help our kids feel better about themselves; but before you buy those whitening strips or make that teeth whitening appointment, you should sink your teeth into the facts, first.
Overview: There are plenty of options available to help whiten that smile for you. From toothpastes, mouthwashes, whitening strips/pens, to trays -- the possibilities are endless. But is it the right fit for your teen?
White strips work by coating the teeth in a hydrogen peroxide solution for anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on package's directions or dental procedure.
More so, whitening products are meant for natural tooth enamels -- not fillings, crowns or veneers. Most teens are also dealing with a lot of orthodontic work and wisdom teeth extractions which cause extreme tooth sensitivity -- something that could be made worse with teeth whitening.
A dental professional can also help diagnose the reason your teens teeth are not their whitest. It could be due to injury, past dental treatment(s), iron supplements, tooth decay or natural discoloration.
Types of teeth whitening include:
In-office whitening procedure: consisting of a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide that works in a short period of time and it is done only once a year. The gums are covered with a barrier while the solution is put on the teeth for 20 min.
Take home whitening procedure: trays are handled and created at your dental office after having taken an impression of both the upper and lower teeth. You are then given the solution, with the trays, to take home and use at night before going to sleep.
Whitening strips (over the counter): The most popular method of teeth whitening and also the most cost-effective, you can begin to see results in about 7 days. Although the hydrogen peroxide concentration is not as high as an in-office treatment, but with prolonged usage, teeth can become more sensitive. The effects of using whitening strips are also temporary.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/anaida-deti/teens-and-teeth-whitening_b_12897742.html?utm_hp_ref=ca-dental-health September 2017)
