How to keep your child’s smile healthy and bright
We all want to help our kids keep their smiles bright and healthy! The best way to brighten your child’s teeth is to have a solid brushing and flossing routine at home, which ensures that sticky, sometimes colorful plaque germs don’t impact the brightness of your smile. Some people are prone to heavier calculus buildup on their teeth, especially on lower front teeth which are exposed to the minerals in saliva that come out under the tongue. Seeing Dr. Villasenor for routine dental cleanings will remove this buildup that can discolor teeth.
What shades of white are normal?
Parents of children who are in their mixed dentition, with a few permanent front teeth sitting next to primary canines and molars, may notice the difference in shade between primary and permanent teeth. This is normal due to structural differences in enamel of primary and permanent teeth. Once all permanent teeth erupt they will likely be a much more uniform shade. Bleaching during this time is not recommended and will likely cause significant sensitivity on new permanent teeth.
Should I whiten my teen’s teeth?
If your teen shows interest in whitening their permanent teeth, Dr. Villasenor suggests trying whitening toothpaste first. While slightly more abrasive and able to fight stain, this is less likely to cause sensitivity than other whitening agents. For tenacious stains that don’t improve with whitening toothpaste, Dr. Villasenor recommends trying Classic Crest Whitestrips. The Classic strength will whiten teeth to the same brightness as Professional strength, but take more applications to do so- and this lower strength and slower pace can decrease sensitivity. Even Classic Crest Whitestrips can still cause sensitivity, so Dr. V recommends using less often than recommended at first. For teens who have sensitivity with them, custom trays made by your dentist are a good option because the bleaching gels can be followed by desensitizing gels.
Always ask Dr. Villasenor and the team at Rise and Shine Pediatric Dentistry about bleaching options before trying them on your own, as certain conditions can be worsened by bleaching. Development enamel defects will often be more pronounced after traditional whitening techniques. These need to be treated in-office by Dr. Villasenor with ICON treatment. Some tooth discoloration is caused by dental trauma and requires an internal bleaching procedure with an endodontist to correct. Also remember the importance of healthy eating and drinking habits when it comes to brightening your child’s smile! Call our office today at 303-758-0223 to schedule an appointment to discuss teeth whitening with Dr. Villasenor!