Whenever engaging in dental care for children, it is important to engage in a softer approach and focus on doing less, rather than more. The same is true for whitening your child's smile. The tooth pulp is not fully formed until your child has reached at least 14 years of age. The permanent teeth that come in after the baby teeth often look more yellow, but this is considered to be normal. However, there are still some things that can be done to make sure that your child's teeth are whiter.
Preventing Stains
The best way to keep your child's teeth white is to avoid soda, especially if your child has braces. It is better to serve water. Also, you can create a healthier type of soda by combining fruit with sparkling water. You should also introduce more foods to your child's diet that can whiten his or her teeth including:
- Yogurt
- Nuts
- Milk
- Fish
- Fish oil
- Vegetables
Over-The-Counter Whitening Products
It can be risky to use an over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide for a child. There is a lack of evidence to support that hydrogen peroxide is safe for younger teeth. Even if the treatment is safe for children, not using the product correctly can cause the product to be harmful to children. For example, you may leave the strips in for longer than recommended. Your child might accidentally swallow the product. All of this can lead to unwanted side effects. Before using whitening products, make sure that all of your child's adult teeth have erupted and he or she is not in need of orthodontic treatments.
The Importance Of Oral Hygiene And Dentist Appointments
Instead of buying over-the-counter whitening products, it is better to focus on good oral hygiene. Teaching your child to brush two or three times a day, especially after a meal, flossing and using mouthwash will go a long way toward preventing stains.
If you cannot explain why your child's teeth are stained, it may be a good idea to take your child to the dentist to see if there are any underlying problems that may be causing your child's dental problems. If your child's dentist determines that it would be appropriate to have your child's teeth whitened, it would be best for your child's teeth to be whitened by a dentist, since he or she will be able to monitor the process, rather than relying on an over-the-counter solution. To learn more, contact a dental clinic like Picone Dental - Vincent J Picone DDS.
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