Teeth Whitening for Teens
Whether your teen just got their braces off or they discovered coffee recently, it’s only a matter of time before they begin to notice mild staining. Fortunately, there are plenty of teeth whitening options available for interested teens. From whitening toothpastes to at-home teeth whitening kits, reach out to your dentist and see what they recommend from the options listed below.
IS IT SAFE TO WHITEN TEETH AS A TEEN?
First, a note on safety. There’s no exact age that it’s officially “safe” to whiten your teeth. Some say wait until all adult teeth are in, and others say around age 15. Either way, it’s smart to check in with a medical professional before proceeding. Your dentist can provide guidance on reputable products and notify you if tooth enamel is too thin or if tooth decay is present. If these types of issues are present, then you may want to proceed with caution or not at all depending on their recommendation. Generally speaking, teeth whitening for teens is safe, but if you aren’t sure if it’s safe for you or your teenager, check with your medical professional.
Why Do Teens Teeth Turn Yellow
There are many factors that cause a teen’s teeth to yellow, but the majority of the causes can be helped with a professional at-home teeth whitening system.
1. Change In Diet
As your child gains more independence, they will have more control over what they eat and drink. Maybe you had more control over whether or not they were drinking coffee or dark colas when they were seven, but chances are, your teen is going to try food that is more likely to stain their teeth.
2. Genetic Factors
Some people are born with less tooth enamel, known as enamel hypoplasia. The enamel is the white part of the tooth, and under the enamel is another layer called dentin. Dentin is a yellowish color, so if the enamel on your teeth is thin, you are more likely to see dentin. Less white enamel means less coverage of the dentin, which means yellow teeth.
3. Learning Independence And Consistency
Let’s be honest, there are few teens in the world who don’t rebel in one way or another. Teenagers are trying out a degree of independence, which is good practice as they prepare to leave the nest. But as they practice independence they might resist habits that you’ve worked hard to instill, like teeth brushing. Not only might they stop brushing their teeth consistently as a way to show their independence, but they are also still learning how important regular tooth brushing is for their overall health.
WHAT TYPES OF TEETH WHITENING PRODUCTS CAN TEENS USE?
1. Whitening Toothpaste
For mildly stained teeth, whitening toothpaste can do just the trick for teens. Often, drug store toothpaste will contain roughly 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, which is a low-level whitening agent. If you choose to go with a toothpaste like Colgate Optic White, then you’ll likely see more stubborn surface stains lifted because it has a higher percentage (around 2%) of hydrogen peroxide. You’ll likely see results from this toothpaste with a few months of use.
2. Whitening Strips
When people think of whitening products, a lot of people think of “white strips.” You can find these at any grocery, drug, and big-box stores. After roughly 1 to 3 weeks of use, you’ll see results from either the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide they contain.
3. Professional Bleaching
If you want to go for a professional option, check and see if your dentist offers professional bleaching. Be mindful that this will be the quickest and most expensive option by far. The ultimate benefit, however, is that your teenager will have longer-lasting results that they’ll love.
4. At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
The final option is an at-home teeth whitening kit that helps to remove deeper and more stubborn stains than whitening toothpastes and strips. With these systems, you typically apply a gel either to your teeth or to a mouth tray and then use an LED light to whiten your teeth. After a set amount of time, you’re all done. It’s quick and easy. It’s a foolproof method for anyone looking to whiten their teeth at home!
WHAT’S THE BEST TEETH WHITENING KIT?
Teenage years are brutal, and to some degree, that’s just part of growing up. But you or your teen don’t have to pile on to the awkward teenage years with yellow teeth. With a white smile, your teen will feel more confident and less likely to experience low self-esteem. Additionally, teens are likely getting their braces or other orthodontia off for the first time, and there might be discoloration on their teeth from years of braces. Imagine finally getting your braces off, your teeth are straight and brace-free for the first time in years, and your teeth are dingy instead of brilliant.
Give your teen the gift of a great smile by trying the Teeth Whitening Kit from Brytn Smile, an easy-to-use whitening kit your teen can manage by themselves. This kit features a powerful whitening formula with 35% carbamide peroxide, an ingredient that gets down into the crevices of your teeth to dissolve the bacteria and build-up that cause yellow teeth. Combined with the Blue & Red Light Teeth Whitening Device, with both blue and red UV rays to help whiten your smile and disinfect bacteria that cause bad breath, this kit will give your teen the ultimate confidence boost.
Easy to use, safe for your teen’s enamel, and fast-acting, this kit is the perfect option for parents who want to help their teen feel confident. If you are ready to help your teen survive their adolescence with a dazzling smile, buy the Teeth Whitening Kit from Brytn Smile and rest assured that your teen’s teeth will be white…even if you can’t quite get them to smile.