Teeth Whitening - How To Know If You're A Good Candidate

Have you ever wondered what the minimum age for teeth whitening is? The consensus among dental professionals is a patient should be at least 14 years of age to bleach their teeth. Bleaching younger than 14 years could increase the chances of irreversible damage to the nerves of your child's teeth. Your best options would be to visit your local dentist and get a professional recommendation on the best method to lighten your teeth. Your dentist will examine how bad the staining is and the overall condition of your teeth. Some possible recommendations may include:

1) A dental cleaning by your dentist or hygienist to remove tartar buildup and staining caused by plaque accumulation, food, and smoking.

2) Brushing with a whitening toothpaste to remove superficial stains.

3) For minor yellowing or discoloration, over the counter whitening gel or strips may brighten your teeth, however these products tend to come with a lower concentration of bleaching product (carbamide peroxide) and take longer to see results.

4) For deeper stains or yellowing, in-office bleaching and/or home bleaching may be recommended. In office bleaching (chairside) bleaching solutions used by your dentist are stronger and contain a higher concentration of carbamide peroxide so you'll see noticeable results in as little as one appointment. Home bleaching systems consist of a set of custom made mouthguards along with tubes of concentrated bleaching gel. Depending on the concentration of the bleaching gel, you'll wear the trays from as little as twice a day to as long as overnight.

5) For severely stained or damaged teeth, your dentist may recommend porcelain veneers, bonding, or even full crowns to correct the problem.

The key to effective teeth whitening is dependent on a proper diagnosis of the condition of your teeth. Only a skilled cosmetic dentist is qualified to recommend the best option for you.

While lightening your teeth is a safe procedure, it does have minor side effects. Your teeth can experience temporary sensitivity during and after the bleaching procedure. This will usually disappear when your treatment is finished. Patients who already experience extreme teeth sensitivity may not be good candidates for teeth whitening as the solutions may cause increased irritation of the teeth. If this is your situation ask your dentist about the benefits of desensitizing treatment prior to brightening your teeth. If you have periodontal disease, your gums may also be sensitive to this procedure.

Teeth with a brown/gray discoloration or have a striped or mottled appearance from tetracycline treatment or too much flouride, are not good candidates for bleaching. It's difficult to achieve an even result with these pre-existing conditions.

Bleaching will not change the color of your existing fillings, crowns, caps, or bonding. If the majority of your teeth are restored with these procedures, you may want to consult with your dentist about replacing or veneering over these restorations.