Everyone wants to put their best smile forward and one of the main things people think of when they talk about having a beautiful smile is the color of the teeth. Having white teeth can make you feel healthy and radiant, but with so many products flooding the market, it is hard to know what is best to use to achieve a desirable smile and some products may not be safe to use. We typically do not recommend teeth whitening for children or teens under age 15.
When choosing over the counter products such as toothpastes or rinses, most will be safe to use. Look for the ones that are approved by the ADA (American Dental Association). Most of them are marked right on the box or bottle. Many of these products do not contain bleaching agents, but have polishes that remove surface stains which will help to brighten teeth.
All whitening toothpastes will help to remove surface stains but none will really change the color of your teeth. Our orthodontists typically do not recommend using whitening toothpastes or rinses while in braces because the area under the braces will not receive the same treatment and this can cause different colored areas of the teeth when the braces are removed. It may also be harmful to use whitening toothpaste daily indefinitely as the abrasive particles can remove microscopic layers of enamel which, over time, can be problematic.
If you are looking for a change in color, it is probably best to discuss this with your dentist. While our pediatric dentists do not provide whitening solutions, they may have insight into the best plan of action for you or your child. While our orthodontists don’t provide whitening solutions to every patient, certain patients may be candidates for whitening after their treatment is completed and whitening solutions can be recommended or provided by our orthodontists. The right time and method to whiten is different for all patients and this is a conversation that should occur with your dental professional before deciding what to choose (even if you are considering the over-the-counter solutions).
There is a clear hierarchy of quality when it comes to tooth whitening solutions and we encourage you to discuss this at your next visit as one of our dental health professionals would be happy to guide you on the appropriateness of whitening and the solutions available to achieve the most radiant smile.
Please feel free to discuss teeth whitening with us in more detail. We are here to keep your smiles looking their best!
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Preferred Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
