Your teenager can enjoy a healthy mouth by avoiding some the greatest threats to teen teeth as growing a healthy, adult smile takes a lot of work and maintenance. Though you may have trained your teens when they were younger to properly brush, floss, and rinse, there are some issues that make your teen’s teeth more vulnerable. Today, we at Smile Reef would like to take the opportunity to share the biggest threats to teeth amongst the teenagers.
Tooth Decay & Dental Cavities
Cavities are nearly 100% preventable though in the United States, cavities are the most prevalent disease affecting children and teens. By brushing twice per day for two minutes at a time and flossing once per day, avoid eating and drinking too much sugar, as well as adding high fiber fruits and vegetables to their diet, your teen can fight cavities. Your teen should have an oral health checkup every six months in our office so that we can help them navigate growing a healthy, adult smile in addition to a proper oral care routine.
Sports Injuries – Hit in the Mouth
During youth sporting events, the CDC estimates that more than 3 million teeth are knocked out. To work by helping cushion a blow to the face, and minimizing the risk of breaking teeth, or lacerating a lip, tongue or cheek, mouth guards, sometimes called mouth protectors, are frequently used. Young athletes are susceptible to jaw damage, lacerated lips and tongue, broken teeth, and even concussions without a mouth guard. Make certain to buy them a mouth guard that will provide adequate protection for their sport if in the event your child is playing any contact sport. Using a mouth guard to prevent an injury, just check online to see if their sport requires – or even suggests if you are unsure.
Does Tobacco, Nicotine & Vaping Negatively Affect Teeth?
Each day more than 3,200 Americans younger than 18 try their first cigarette since 90% of adult smokers began smoking as teens. In many ways, tobacco use harms teeth and health. Smoking can easily lead to periodontal disease, oral cancer, delayed healing after oral procedure, stained teeth and gums, bad breath, as well as damage the ability to smell and taste. The negative oral side effects are chilling since the health risks related to tobacco use are serious. Also, teen use of e-cigarettes and nicotine vaporizers is on the rise, and they are also terrible for teeth, unfortunately. Make sure to encourage your children to stay away from all nicotine and tobacco products because studies find that teens that are actively discouraged from smoking, or that live in an environment where smoking is not normalized, are less likely to use tobacco as an adult.
Pediatric Dentistry
In addition to taking care of the teen’s teeth with protection and routine oral hygiene, make sure to schedule a dentist visit with a pediatric dentist every 6 months. Any issues that might arise can be taken care of early and help your child serious issues down the line. Call us today to schedule your dental appointment.
