May 18, 2026

Should I Let My Teen Whiten Their Teeth?

Do you remember feeling like standards of beauty were unattainable when you were a teenager? Heck, many of feel this way as adults! It makes sense that teenagers might be concerned with the appearance of their smile and pine for bright white smiles the same way adults do, because they’re often exposed to the same media that displays stunning smiles nonstop. There’s a lot to be said for defying those expectations, but if there were a simple, safe, and widely available treatment that could make a world of difference for your teen’s self-confidence, would you be ok with it? Your Dentist Can Help If your teen has expressed that they’d like to have their teeth whitened, you might be inclined to gasp and reply, “Your smile is perfect as it is!” We understand, and at Explorer Kids Dental, we do love how unique smiles are from person to person, and we want everyone to feel comfortable with their natural smile just as it is. However, maybe it can lead to a productive discussion and informed decision. First, there’s the question of whether teeth whitening is a suitable treatment for adolescents , and if it is, what type of treatment will be the most effective and economical. If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation with your Roseville dentists, Drs. Jeff and Candy McComb , please contact us! We want all of our friends and neighbors to have healthy smiles they feel proud to share. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Share this post

Explore more blogs

View All Posts

April 13, 2021

Is My Child's Oral Hygiene Routine Sufficient?

When you're just getting started with your child's oral hygiene, you may have a lot of questions. Here's what you need to know.

Read More

March 27, 2021

Why Haven't My Child's Permanent Teeth Come In?

If your child's permanent adult teeth haven't emerged in a timely manner, you may wonder if there is a reason to worry. Here are a few possible reasons.

Read More

March 13, 2021

Why Are My Baby's Teeth Stained?

It is not uncommon for a child's teeth to appear less than pearly white. Here's what causes staining and what you can do about it.

Read More

February 27, 2021

Late for an Important Date: When Baby Teeth Don't Fall Out

Sometimes baby tooth loss doesn't happen in the usual order, and an over-retained baby tooth can cause complications.

Read More

February 13, 2021

Zirconia Crowns for Kids

In 2010, zirconia became available for use in pediatric dentistry as a durable, biocompatible crown option for children.

Read More

January 27, 2021

Help Your Little Superhero Fight Bad Breath Bugs

Explorer Kids Dental discusses what causes bad breath in children and how to fight it effectively.

Read More

January 13, 2021

Should I Let My Teen Whiten Their Teeth?

Here's what parents should know about teen teeth whitening — what's safe, what's not, and when to wait.

Read More

December 27, 2020

Take it Easy After Tooth Extraction

Sometimes we recommend extraction to get kids back on track. Here's what to expect for aftercare following a tooth extraction.

Read More

December 13, 2020

Do You Smooch Your Pooch?

There's a common misconception that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's mouth. As it turns out, that's not true at all.

Read More

November 27, 2020

How to Choose the Right Pediatric Dentist for Your Child

Being the parent of a little one means making a lot of decisions each day. How do you choose the right pediatric dentist? Here's what to look for.

Read More

November 13, 2020

Xylitol: Is it Safe for Kids?

Xylitol is a naturally-occurring substance used as an FDA-approved artificial sweetener that can also assist in the prevention of tooth decay.

Read More

October 27, 2020

Can My Child Skip Visits to the Dentist?

One of the most common misconceptions: dentistry isn't important until after children lose their baby teeth. Explorer Kids Dental busts this myth.

Read More