Teens Need To Take Extra Care With Their Dental Health

Teenagers crave attention of course, but not if it embarrasses them in front of a whole group. Nothing is more mortifying than having one of their friends publicly point out that they have something between their teeth or that they have bad breath! Teens have many built-in incentives like this which will encourage them to brush their teeth, but good oral hygiene is also important in this age group for reasons that go beyond cosmetic.

-- Of course, teens should continue to be diligent with brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and regular flossing. When they were younger, this routine was probably done under parental supervision. Now that they are older, they must bear most of the responsibility for making sure they are still continuing with good oral hygiene habits. Not only will brushing help keep teeth looking great, but brushing helps remove harmful plaque which can cause gum disease.

-- Teens who wear braces must take special care during their tooth cleaning routines. They should take extra time to brush their gum lines to ensure that all foodstuffs are removed. A water pick appliance is a great tool to help make sure that braces are sparkling clean.

-- Whether or not a teen sees an orthodontist for braces, he should still make twice yearly visits to his family dentist for cleanings and checkups. Plaque left unattended can lead to unsightly yellow tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist.

-- Once into their teenage years, kids are making nutritional decisions away from the watchful eyes of diligent parents. Teens need to develop responsible eating habits by limiting sugary, sticky snacks. Eating sticky foods can be especially problematic for teens with braces and may damage their appliances.

-- Smoking may lead to lung cancer of course, but it is a bad habit that affects the look a smile as well. Smoking stains teeth and gums and is a contributor to bad breath. Chewing tobacco is insidious as well, and prolonged use not only stains teeth, but greatly increases the chances of developing dangerous and disfiguring oral cancers.

-- Mouth guards are essential for those students who play contact sports such as hockey, basketball, football, and even soccer. A guard usually covers the upper teeth and is designed to protect against broken or chipped teeth, cut lips, and other mouth damage. Teens would be wise to take advantage of this protection whether it is required equipment or not. It is much less painful to prevent damage than to fix it afterwards.

-- Many teens are now choosing to get oral piercings. Young adults should be aware that this popular fad can lead to infections in the mouth, uncontrollable bleeding, and even nerve damage. Some mouth jewelry can lead to mishaps with chipped or cracked teeth as a result. If you must get an oral piercing, consult with a dentist first to determine where the safest place to get one is in your mouth.

-- Bingeing and purging are common but dangerous practices among young women. The constant wash of stomach acids eats away at tooth enamel and result in unsightly and unhealthy smiles. Teens who struggle with bulimia should get professional help to treat the disease and visit a dentist regularly to help correct the damage done to their teeth and to get checkups.

Teenagers should care enough about themselves, their looks, and their health to take extra good care of their smiles during this important time in their lives.