Teenager Wants His Teeth Whitened

Updated on December 14, 2012
I.B. asks from Los Angeles, CA
13 answers

Hi,

My 16 y/o son just got the braces off and wants to have his teeth whitened. I think it’s the teenage thing because his teeth look white enough to me, with no stains. I am hesitant for him to do the Zoom light or any other heavy duty strong chemical trays. He is still a kid and I don’t want him to have any long term side effects. Have your kids done this? Any recommendation will be appreciated? Thank you!

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

M daughter has used the Crest Whitening Strips from Costco. Her pediatric dentist said she could try it at age 13.

5 moms found this helpful

More Answers

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

Yep, we did this. My daughter really wanted her teeth to look perfect. Our dentist recommended Crest White Strips and they worked like a charm. (She also does whitening in her practice, but the white strips worked just as well and were cheaper. She's a friend of mine so I trusted her advice.)

3 moms found this helpful
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L.O.

answers from Chicago on

Several dental offices around here do the Crest Strips, and also recommend them. I brush with a combo of Colgate Luminous and Crest 3D White(recommended by my friends child's pediatric dentist for both strengthening the enamel, and gently whitening the teeth) with the 3D White before bedtime.

As a teenager, self esteem is a fragile thing. If whiter teeth makes him feel good about himself, confident about himself, I say go for it.

If it's the expensive procedure he wants for other reasons(like looking good for the girls, for the extreme example), and he is old enough to work odd jobs for it, have him help pay for the procedures.

Hope this helps.

2 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

We all use Colgate Optic White Toothpaste, and it really seems to keep our teeth very white. He might want to try that. Here's a link: http://www.colgate.com/app/ColgateOralCare/Whitening/Colg...

My son who is almost 15 loves this toothpaste. :)

2 moms found this helpful
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C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I spent 6K on orthodontics...another $60 on Crest White Strips (level 5) is a drop in the bucket. They work wonderful!!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Talk to your dentist. Our dentist said that if SD was concerned, she could use White Strips (though I suspect her mom took her to get whitening done outside the dental office). Someone he knows who knows his teeth can offer the best advice.

The flip side is if you don't keep it up, you'll be back where you started. My SD's teeth are no longer superbright, which is actually OK, but it makes me wonder how much money her mom wasted on whitening products.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I have personally used the OTC type whitening strips like the Crest strips others have recommended. truthfully, the kit I purchased was the store brand of Crest strips for 1/2 the price and my teeth were noticebly whiter and brighter. I was hesitant at firs but they really worked well, far beyond my expectation.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from New York on

The teeth whitening strips work wonderful. I would start there and see how he keeps it up and how he feels about the results.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Ask your dentists opinion, ask him what are the pros and cons and if there is no harmful side effects then I say "go for it". Good Luck!

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Start with the the Crest white strips..then every other tube of toothpaste can be whitening tooth paste. Make sure it is ADA approved.. Look for it on the box of toothpaste.

Remind him, he should not overuse the white strips. It can make his teeth very sensitive.

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

I'd say get him Crest Whitestrips. I use them once or twice a year. They work well, they are cheap, and I haven't had any side effects.

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L.M.

answers from Seattle on

Ask the dentist they told me zoom really painful. The dentist gave me a good deal on at home whitening only sold through dentist.. Much cheaper too:) great results

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H.B.

answers from Chicago on

My husband's friend who smokes, uses the Crest Strips and his teeth look great! I'm using peroxide as a mouth wash and it's working slowly. I only do it once a day though.

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