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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Am I too young for teeth whitening?

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ever since i was 13 i have been asking my mom 2 get my teeth whitened by she wouldn’t let me. now i am almost 17 & i work part time after school so she said it’sokay but she still thinks i am still 2 young. this is something i really want and i promise 2 keep up with the touchups and not overbleach bcz i know it will hurt my teeth if i do. i am wondering if there is a min. age for teeth whitening and if so what is that age. also will it be hard 2 find a place that will sell it 2 me or if teenagers might get carded for the bleaching stuff like we do for liquor even tho it’s not alcohol. thanks. leeya

Leeya – It sounds as if you are thinking of purchasing over-the counter whitening kits and doing the treatment yourself. We don’t recommend this at all.

As long as your permanent teeth are fully developed, whitening them should be safe. But there is no way to be certain of the outcome without visiting a dentist. Do you want your teeth whiter to improve your smile, or are there stains in your teeth?

An examination from a dentist will show whether or not whitening them will be helpful or harmful. A dentist will also let you know if you can expect sensitivity in your teeth from the bleaching gel. If sensitivity is expected, he or she will know which gel strength will be best for you. You will also receive customized trays to keep the gel in contact with your teeth and away from your gums, to prevent burning and pain.

You will not be carded, or asked to show identification, if you purchase do-it-yourself bleaching gel. The results may be limited though, and you can’t be certain how your teeth will respond to the gel.

Think about asking your dentist how he or she can make brightening your smile affordable for you.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Should my wife whiten her teeth if she’s still breast feeding?

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My wife wants to start whitening her teeth because her sister asked her to be her maid of honor in her wedding. The wedding is in March. I asked my wife to wait but her reasoning is that she will still be breastfeeding in 2016 so why wait. She also says that if teeth whitening isn’t harmful anyway why would it be harmful if she is breastfeeding? Is it safe for her to do this? – Thomas

Thomas – Teeth bleaching gel contains carbamide peroxide, which is considered safe to whiten adult teeth. In-office bleaching gel contains high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (15%-35%). At-home bleaching products contain a lower percentage (usually 3% to 10%, although some are up to 15%). Some safety issues have been raised regarding the absorption of the bleaching gel into oral tissue, or through swallowing some of the gel.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), more research is needed to determine appropriate use and limitation of teeth whitening for children.

While it is safe to go to the dentist during pregnancy—and it is encouraged—there is insufficient evidence to determine if teeth whitening is safe for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. The ADA recommends that the treatment is delayed until after delivery, but receiving the treatment while breastfeeding is questionable.

Regardless of whether a patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, her medical history, including her history of allergies must be reviewed to determine if she is candidate for teeth whitening.

After considering the information provided by the ADA, whether or not to use teeth bleaching gel while breastfeeding is a decision that each patient must make. As an additional precaution, we suggest that your wife speaks with her obstetrician/gynecologist to receive an opinion on using bleaching gel to whiten her teeth.

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.