Can Kids Use Whitening Toothpaste? [Pros and Cons]

Clean and healthy teeth should be an aim since your child starts brushing. For parents, it is crucial to ensure good oral hygiene since it can contribute to your child’s overall health and well-being. Ensure your child is eating right, rinsing the mouth after every meal, and brushing their teeth regularly. However, some parents are more often concerned about their child’s teeth color. Due to the same, individuals are coming up with questions like “Can Kids use Whitening Toothpaste?”.

Whitening Toothpaste is slowly becoming extremely popular among dental care products. These toothpastes contain abrasive particles that remove surface stains from teeth leaving a clean and whitened effect. However, the abrasiveness of such Toothpaste can be harsh and damaging to your teeth enamel.

Especially since kids’ teeth are still in the developing stage, their enamel isn’t as strong as adults. And as a result, whitening Toothpaste can do them more damage than good. Also, the range of chemicals in whitening Toothpaste can, at times, lead to sensitivity, pain, and discomfort among kids. Therefore, before allowing kids to use Whitening toothpaste, it is important to understand the risks associated with it.

Join us in this article, and we will discuss whether Whitening toothpaste is suitable for kids or not. To clarify the concern, we will also shed some light on the potential benefits (if any) and drawbacks of allowing kids to use Whitening toothpaste. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

Is it normal for kids to have Yellow or Stained Teeth?

No, usually, kids do not have yellow or stained teeth like adults. Kids have thinner enamel and dentin inside the tooth, and that is why their teeth appear whiter and brighter than adults. However, it isn’t impossible for kids to have Yellow teeth.

Some kids may have yellow teeth or stain on their teeth surface due to genetics, certain medications, or poor dental care routine. In a few selective cases, yellow teeth in kids also are an early sign of tooth decay or other similar dental problem.

Regular brushing and flossing, however, can remove stains and make your kids’ teeth whiter.

Regular dental visits as well are of great help.

Is it safe for kids to use Whitening Toothpaste? 

Whether or not your child should use a Whitening toothpaste depends upon your dentist’s consultation. The marketplace is full of a range of kids’ specific dental care products, including Whitening toothpaste. Since these Toothpastes are specially formulated for children, they are safe to use.

However, Whitening Toothpaste that is designed for adult teeth shouldn’t be introduced to kids. Whitening Toothpaste for adults generally has high abrasive content that can damage the thin enamel of kids’ teeth. In addition, chemicals in Whitening Toothpaste, like hydrogen peroxide, can result in sensitivity, pain, and discomfort.

In addition, kids do not know the best about how to brush their teeth properly. Using Whitening toothpaste in large amounts or brushing teeth harshly with the same can lead to additional damage. And if in case kids swallow chemicals containing Toothpaste, it may result in stomach aches as well.

Overall it is safe for kids to use Whitening Toothpaste as long as it is designed for them and recommended by a dentist. Apart from that, do not allow your kids to use adult Whitening toothpaste very early in life, especially before the age of 12 to 13 years.

Are Whitening Toothpaste really effective for kids’ teeth?

Whitening Toothpaste aids in removing surface stains from teeth and making them appear clean. However, there are fewer chances that a whitening toothpaste will remove the yellow color and leave the white effect behind. Also, the effects of Whitening toothpaste are only limited to the surface of the teeth. These products may not be able to provide significant results for deeply stained or discolored teeth.

Can Kids Use Whitening Toothpaste? Potential Benefits (If any) and Drawbacks 

While it isn’t recommended for kids to use Whitening toothpaste, your dentist might suggest it sometimes. If you are under such a scenario, here are some of the potential benefits and drawbacks you may want to learn about, for instance.

Potential Benefits of (kids) using Whitening Toothpaste

• Whitening Toothpaste helps in removing surface stains and leaves the teeth appear cleaner and brighter.

Potential Drawbacks of (kids) using Whitening Toothpaste

• The effect of Whitening toothpaste may be limited to the surface of the teeth. Most of the whitening Toothpaste available in the market does not provide any significant result for deeply stained or discolored teeth.
• Overusing Whitening toothpaste can prove harmful to enamel. Specially since kids’ have thinner enamel, they may experience sensitivity, pain, and discomfort after using such products.
• The chemicals and abrasives in whitening Toothpaste can do more damage than good.
• Kids who use Whitening Toothpaste regularly may develop the risk of enamel erosion over time.
• The overuse of Whitening toothpaste can lead to allergic reactions for some.

At what age is it safe to start using Whitening Toothpaste?

Children should never start using Whitening Toothpaste before the age of 13. It is because the enamel of their teeth is thinner and less dense. Exposing it to chemicalized and highly abrasive Whitening toothpaste can lead to damage. Until 13, using toothpaste that is formulated for kids (Age-wise) is the best. It is better to consult your dentist before choosing one. A dental professional will guide you with the best Toothpaste depending on your dental health.

Are Teeth Whitening Treatments safe for kids? 

Stain prevention is the safest and most suitable way to keep your kids’ teeth white and bright. Teeth whitening treatments, including Toothpaste and procedures by dentists, aren’t recommended for kids below 13 years old. The primary reason is that whitening treatment can damage the thin enamel on kids’ teeth. In addition, kids below the age of 12 or 13 may not have all of their permanent teeth. And for a dental Whitening treatment, fully developed teeth are necessary. Also, Whitening treatments can be painful for kids to bear.

Consult a dentist, and they will be able to recommend an appropriate treatment plan based on your kids’ dental health. In addition, prioritize good oral hygiene practices to maintain healthy white teeth among kids.

Tips and tricks to maintain White teeth among kids

• Encourage your kids to brush regularly for two minutes twice a day. Teach kids to prioritize each section of the mouth and use the brush with the right pressure.
• Involve the use of Floss and Mouth wash in your kids’ dental care routine.
• Encourage your kids to rinse with water every time they eat or drink something. Doing so will prevent stains and neutralize acids.
• Encourage your kids to drink water and choose a healthy snacking option. Teach them to avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks since they can lead to teeth discoloration.
• Take your kids for regular dental health checkups.
• Address any and all dental concerns your kids complain about. Try to check their teeth every once in a while, for any discoloration or decay.

Conclusion

Overall, it is not best for kids to use Whitening Toothpaste. Products like these can be harsh and damaging to their enamel and can lead to pain and discomfort. Instead, Stain prevention and good dental care habits are key for those white and bright teeth.