As your child grows into a teenager, you have probably already said goodbye to the baby teeth and hello to the permanent ones. And while you may have worked hard to instill good oral habits in them as a child, their busy lives can keep them from adhering to the twice a day brushings and daily flossing. If you want to keep your teen’s oral health in check, a pediatric dentist shares three of the biggest threats to your teenager’s teeth and what you can do to help.
Cavities
Let’s face it: our kids are no longer the tiny little humans that follow us around. They’re teenagers who have their own friends and who are busier than you remember being at their age. This on-the-go lifestyle is one of the biggest causes of cavities. When your teen isn’t brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing, bacteria begins to grow. This can lead to gum disease or cavities, or both, which is why it’s important they visit a dentist for teens on a regular basis.
In addition to the lack of routine with their oral health, teenagers are busy drinking and eating too much sugar, which is harmful to their teeth, too. Make sure they are eating high fiber fruits and vegetables and avoiding as much sugar as possible.
Sports-Related Mouth Injuries
From football to soccer to tennis, most teenagers are engaged in some sort of sports activity. According to the CDC, more than 3 million teeth are knocked out at teenage sports events. Whether your teen has braces or not, make sure to talk to the dentist about mouth protection such as a mouthguard or facial guard. These will help to prevent soft tissue lacerations, as well as broken or knocked-out teeth. Major blows to the head, depending on where the hit occurs, can see an athlete dealing with jaw damage, concussions, or a busted lip or tongue.
No matter the injury, always call your child’s dentist to have it looked at immediately.
Tobacco
Nowadays, more and more teenagers are trying cigarettes, vape pens, and cigars. Not only is it incredibly harmful to their health, but it can be damaging to their teeth and gums as well. Tobacco can cause oral cancer, periodontal disease, bad breath, damaged saliva glands, stained teeth, and even a delay when trying to heal after surgery.
As the adult, talk to your teen about the dangers of smoking. Encourage them to avoid all nicotine and tobacco products.
No one said raising teenagers is easy. Along with the friends, extracurricular activities, and the dreading word, “dating,” you can add maintaining good oral health to the list of worries you have as a parent. Of course, you want your teenager’s overall health to be at its best, and since that includes their teeth and gums, you’ll need to make sure they maintain good habits as they grow.
About the Practice
Treating infants, toddlers, and teenagers, Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is the ideal place for you to ensure your child’s oral health is on the right path! We provide comfort at every visit, and we provide the services your child needs to maintain a healthy and confident smile. To learn more about us, visit our website or call (469) 925-0861.