Sports
If your teen participates in sports, it is very important that they protect their smile while on the field or court. Wearing a mouthguard is the best way to avoid chipped teeth or lost teeth or cut lips.
If your teen wears dental braces, it is especially important for them to wear a mouthguard or night guard because dental braces can cut and tear the soft tissues of the mouth. And of course, a knocked-out tooth is the ultimate undoing of any orthodontic treatment.
Diet and Nutrition
Many teens thrive on a diet of sugar- and carbohydrate-rich foods. While their overall health may not suffer, their teeth probably will. Sugars and carbohydrates create an ideal environment for dental plaque to thrive.
Limiting "junk food" consumption and replacing it with healthy snacks, such as crunchy fruits and vegetables, is the best way to promote good oral health. If your teen has trouble kicking their junk food habit, they can increase the frequency of their brushing and chew sugar-free gum to promote saliva flow.
The teenage years are also when people are most at-risk for developing eating disorders. In addition to the many negative health effects of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia nervosa, they also have disastrous effects on dental health. It is important for you to encourage your teen to eat a balanced and nutrient-rich diet to benefit their long-term overall health and oral health.
Tobacco Use
Studies have demonstrated that the majority of long-term tobacco users begin using tobacco products during their teen years. It is important that you remind your teen about the negative health effects of smoking and tobacco use. Most health problems associated with tobacco use, such as tooth and gum staining, dental tartar build-up and bad breath, may not be noticeable until years after use starts. This means that addiction will probably make the habit harder to break by the time they notice its effect.
If you or your teens have any questions or concerns regarding their dental health, your dentist is your best resource. Speak with your dentist about what your teen can do to keep their teeth healthy and sparkling for years to come.
