Teeth whitening has gained extreme popularity over the years with even teenagers wanting to bleach their teeth. But what age is safe to start bleaching your teeth? The general opinion among dental professionals is a patient should be at least 14 years of age to begin lightening their teeth. It’s best to consult with your dentist to see which options are best to brighten your teeth. He or she will check the general shape of your teeth and how bad the staining is. He or she may recommend the following options:
1) A professional cleaning to remove light tartar and staining caused from food, old plaque, and tobacco.
2) Using special toothpastes containing fine abrasives to polish off superficial stains.
3) For slight yellow discolorations, your dentist may recommend over the counter gel or strips. The disadvantage of these products is it takes longer to remove the discoloration because the concentration of bleaching product (carbamide peroxide) is lower than products used in the dental office.
