Concerned parents often ask us why their child's teeth look yellow or discoloured, and whether teeth whitening could help to address the issue. Here's why our dentist and team of dental professionals at Jubilee Dental Centre advise against teeth whitening for children and young teens.
Every parent wants their child to have bright and healthy smile. For that reason it's not unusual for parents to be concerned if their child's teeth appear discoloured or yellow. The apparent discolouration can lead parents to wonder whether teeth whitening could help to brighten their child's smile. Here at Jubilee Dental Centre we strongly advise against teeth whitening for children and young teens, here's why...
Adult & Baby Teeth are Naturally Different Colours
Just beneath the enamel within each tooth there is a layer of a yellowish substance called dentin. Baby teeth naturally have less dentin than adult teeth. It is the larger amount of dentin that causes adult teeth to appear darker than baby teeth. This darker or more yellow appearance is most noticeable when a child's remaining baby teeth are compared to the newly erupted adult teeth. Parents can rest assured that the darker colour of the adult teeth is normal and will be much less noticeable once the child's remaining baby teeth have been replaced by their permanent adult teeth.
Teeth Whitening for Children May Not Be Safe
Keeping your child's smile healthy is our primary concern. When it comes to the effects of whitening solution, there just isn't enough scientific data available for us to make an informed decision about whether it is safe for young developing smiles. That's why our Summerland dentist will only recommend teeth whitening to adults or older teens looking to brighten their smiles.