5 Tips on How to Whiten Kids Teeth Naturally

Just like adults, children’s teeth can get stained or discolored. To make sure your child isn’t embarrassed or afraid to interact with others because their teeth are stained or turning yellow, then it’s about time you help them out.

The first step to helping a kid with stained teeth is to find the cause. Why? If the cause isn’t dealt with, then it’s likely that the stains will come back even after teeth whitening. Furthermore, sometimes teeth stains are caused by underlying dental problems such as cavities, which require timely intervention.

Why Does Your Child Have Discolored or Stained Teeth?

Several factors can cause stains, discoloration, and yellowing in a child’s teeth. These include:

• Colored Foods and Drinks

Foods and beverages are the most common reasons for teeth stains in both children and adults. Highly colored foods and drinks such as soda, blueberries, cherries, soy sauce, and tea can cause teeth stains.

The degree of the stains will depend on the frequency and overall exposure to these foods. After teeth whitening, see to it that your child rinses off their mouth after taking heavily pigmented foods and drinks.

• Sugary and Acidic Foods

Sugary and acidic foods are the major contributors to tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars and carbohydrates that we take. When bacteria overgrow in the mouth, they release chemicals that damage the tooth’s enamel and cause cavities. Reducing the consumption of these foods will preserve your child’s oral health and keep their teeth whiter.

• Poor Dental Hygiene

If a child doesn’t brush or floss properly, plaque, bacteria, and tartar can build up in the mouth, causing teeth to be yellow. To maintain good oral health and whiter teeth, ensure your child flosses and brushes thoroughly at least twice a day. If possible, you can help them regularly and schedule routine professional cleanings.

• Dental Trauma

If there’s is substantial damage to a tooth during an accident, a tooth can change color. If your kid has been in an accident recently and their teeth have changed color, you should visit a kid’s dentist as soon as possible.

• Fluorosis

While fluoride is essential in strengthening teeth and preventing cavities, too much fluoride can cause teeth stains during tooth-forming years. Excess fluoride damages the enamel-forming cells, causing a mineralization disorder that makes the teeth turn yellowish.

• Medication

Some medications can damage the tooth’s enamel, causing teeth stains.

How to Whiten Child’s Teeth Naturally?

There are several kids’ teeth whitening techniques and solutions. These include:

• Thorough Brushing and Flossing

If poor dental hygiene is the cause of your child’s teeth stains, improving their oral hygiene can gradually whiten their teeth.

• Dietary Changes

Reducing the intake of stain-causing and sugary foods and drinks will prevent further staining. If they take colored, acidic, and sugary foods and beverages, make sure they rinse their mouth. With good at-home dental hygiene practices, their natural teeth’ color will be restored gradually.

• Lemon and Baking Soda

Lemon and baking soda are some of the most popular and effective teeth whitening home remedies. To apply this remedy, make a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda and brush it gently brush it on your child’s teeth. Allow the paste to sit for a minute. Then brush and rinse it off. Since lemon is highly acidic, regular use can damage the tooth’s enamel. Therefore, only use this remedy once a week.

• Oil Pulling

It involves washing your child’s teeth with oil to remove bacteria, dirt, and other debris. While it’s not scientifically proven, some studies suggest that it can be beneficial in removing teeth stains. You can try this remedy with healthy oils such as coconut, sesame, and sunflower oils.

• Eating Fruits and Vegetables

Chewing raw and crunchy fruits can help to eliminate plaque on the teeth. Other claims suggest that fruits such as strawberries (malic acid) and pineapples (bromelain) can brighten teeth.

When to See a Dentist

While the above remedies can help to remove stains and brighten your kid’s teeth, some of them are unproven and slow. It may take months to see results. Besides, they may not address the underlying condition, if any.

For faster, quicker, and more effective teeth whitening treatment for your child, I’d recommend talking to a kid’s dentist near you for professional advice. For instance, the dentist can clean your child’s teeth professionally, brightening their smile. For cosmetic dentistry near you, contact Wang and Cortes Dental.