Is it OK for tweens and teens to reach for
the bleach in their quest for a 'pretty' pearly white smile? What
parents need to know, first.
Your child's dentist can tell you whether he or she is a good candidate for teeth whitening. According to the
American Dental Association's Mouth Healthy web site,
whitening products are meant for natural tooth enamel – and won't work
on fillings, crowns or veneers. And sensitive teeth, cavities, cracked
teeth and gum disease should be addressed before bleaching, because
whitening treatments can exacerbate these problems, leading to unneeded
pain.