The teenage years can be rough, especially on your teen’s teeth! In fact, according to the CDC, dental decay is the most common chronic disease among youth ages 5 to 17 years old. Unlike younger children, teens tend to have pretty busy lives, making it harder to schedule their appointments. This means a lot of teens aren’t getting the dental care they need or the education on how to improve and maintain their Oral Health. Here are a few easy Oral Health Tips to improve your teen’s overall dental health.
Limit the amount of sodas they are drinking.
Some foods and drinks just simply are not healthy. With access to soft drinks both at home and at school, teens are drinking more sodas than ever before. The high amounts of sugar in sodas can cause cavities and the acidic flavor additives are known for eroding tooth enamel. Two easy tips to help your teen enjoy sodas while saving their teeth. First, use a straw to limit the contact of the soda with your teen’s teeth. Another tip is to always have them rinse their mouth with water after drinking both soda or sports drinks. This will clean the acid and sugar off of their teeth, limiting the amount of damage to the enamel. Both tips will help reduce your teen’s chance of developing cavities.
Always play safely!
Contact sports are the leading cause of dental injuries among teens! Most of these injuries are completely preventable through the usage of mouthguards by athletes. Over 200,000 oral injuries occur in our young athletes, which is why dentists recommend the usage of mouth guards. They don’t just protect your child’s teeth, they also help protect against concussions and maxillofacial injuries. What type is the best to buy? There are store-bought “boil and bite” mouthguards, but their loosely designed structure doesn’t give children the most support or protection that they need. These are ideal, however for children who are still losing baby teeth since a custom-fitted mouthguard would need to be remade after each tooth loss. The safest route is to ask your dentist if would a custom mouth guard would be ideal for your child. It is a quick, easy office visit (usually less than 10 minutes) for your child to get a dental impression. Then in a few days, their custom mouthguard is ready for pick up. It’s that easy!
Avoid the trend of oral piercing
Despite the risk on Oral Health, tongue and other oral piercings have continued to be a trend among teenagers. One of the most common problems with oral piercing is how common it is to chip your teeth while chewing, talking or even just sleeping! These fractures may be confined to the tooth’s enamel or they can occur deeper, even leading to a root canal or tooth extraction. Another risk that is common with oral piercings is that of infection. The tongue can swell upon piercing. With infection, the tongue can swell to the point that breathing can become impaired. The sterilization protocol used during the procedure is critical to avoiding infection. Without medical grade sterilization techniques an oral piercing can cause other infections, such as blood-borne hepatitis. Let your teen know that there are other ways to express their individuality and style while staying healthy!
Don’t let your schedule cause unhealthy snacking choices!
Each year, more and more studies show the importance of eating healthy from a young age. However, with such busy schedules, a lot of teens are consuming “quick” meals in the form of nutrition bars and fast food. They may be quick and convenient “meals”, but they can have a lasting negative effect on your teen's oral and overall health! Give your teen access to healthy snacks, such as fruits, veggies, low-fat cheeses, and other foods packed full of nutrients. This will also encourage them to make healthy food choices at other times, like when packing their lunch.
The teenage years can be exciting. This is also a time that your teenager is learning to be self-sufficient. One of the most important lessons they can learn from their parents is how to take care of their bodies! Take the time to teach your teens about good oral and overall health! If you are interested in more information about your teen’s oral health feel free to contact us!
