We don’t often think of teeth whitening as a treatment that is appropriate for kids. However, in some cases poor oral health and other factors could leave behind unsightly yellow or brown stains. In today’s blog, your Round Rock, TX, pediatric dentist talks about teeth whitening and when this is appropriate for your child.

When Kids Benefit from Cosmetic Treatment

We don’t want children with discoloration to hide their smile or feel uncomfortable with their appearance, which is why we offer cosmetic treatments to address the presence of discoloration. However, we only recommend teeth whitening for kids who have had all of their permanent teeth erupt and the surfaces properly calcify. If they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, we want the process to be completed and the braces removed. Otherwise, there could be harmful impacts on the appearance of the teeth or with the strength of the outer enamel. We won’t want them to develop painful tooth sensitivity!

The Common Causes of Stains

A number of different factors could cause the onset of teeth stains. For example, a diet high in sugar and starch could lead to plaque buildup that makes stains more visible. Beverages with dark pigments could lead to discoloration too, such as soda and tea. If a tooth is damaged, this could lead to permanent discoloration known as intrinsic discoloration. Excess exposure to fluoride could also discolor the teeth, causing fluorosis. Cavities are also a factor behind discoloration, as well as certain medical conditions that impact how the tooth develops. Before we recommend treatment, we will look at the causes of your staining. For some, we may recommend teeth whitening treatments, while others may need dental bonding to mask discoloration, particularly if they’re intrinsic, meaning they form beneath the enamel.

Keeping Teeth Bright

Treatment could be recommended to help protect the health of the smile and in the process, fight teeth stains. For example, be sure your little one brushes in the morning and at night for two minutes, and that they floss every evening. This removes stray particles to fight plaque and tartar buildup, so teeth stay bright and less likely to develop tooth decay. Kids should also cut back on sugar and starch in their diet, and drink more water in lieu of staining beverages like soda or tea. Finally, be sure they attend their six-month checkup and cleaning visits! If you have any questions about our cosmetic treatment options, or about keeping little smiles bright, then contact our team today.

Your Round Rock, TX, Pediatric Dentist Offers Cosmetic treatment

In some cases, we can brighten teeth with professional teeth whitening. Give us a call at Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock at (979)472-4498 for more information or to schedule their next appointment.