How to Get My Child's Teeth Whiter

Children's teeth can become stained or discolored just like adults. Some common causes of discoloration are fluorosis, trauma and dentin defects. Discoloration can be internal or external. External discoloration is often caused by beverages and food. Treatment to make your child's teeth whiter can be done at a dental office or in some cases at home.

Instructions

• 1

  Schedule an appointment with your child's dentist to give her teeth a vital bleaching. The dentist will apply a mixture with 15 to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide to the teeth. The bleach helps oxidize pigments to break down stain molecules. A laser may be used to speed up the whitening process. This treatment is only for slight discolorations of the teeth.

• 2

  Use a home bleaching kit to whiten your child's teeth. The dentist takes an impression and creates a mouthpiece sized exactly to your child's teeth. Put the provided 10 percent carbamide peroxide gel in the mouthpiece and have your child wear it twice a day for 1 hour. Whitening should improve within 2 to 6 weeks.

• 3

  Purchase tooth whitening strips from a local retail store. The strips stick to your child's teeth and deliver a 6.5 percent or 14 percent hydrogen peroxide mixture. Children must be at least 10 years old to use the 6.5 percent strips. Apply the strips twice daily for 30 minutes. Whitening may improve within a few days and continue for up to 4 months.

• 4

  Take your child to the dentist to have a composite veneer placed on the tooth if there are deep stains. Moderate fluorosis may also require a veneer. A veneer is a thin covering that goes over the tooth, hiding the stain.