|
Hygiene and Diet for Pre-teens and Teenagers
These years are perhaps the most difficult as a parent because you have to take care of your teenager, while still giving them independence.
When it comes to oral hygiene, teenagers often view brushing and flossing as unnecessary and daunting. It is wise to check behind them and encourage them to take care of that handsome or beautiful smile.
Due to changing hormones and poor hygiene and diet, teenagers are prone to inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis, or in more severe cases, periodontal disease, which can cause tooth and bone loss.
To prevent decay, gum disease, and infection follow these steps to help your teenager keep a healthy, attractive smile:
- Make sure your pre-teen or teenager brushes every morning after breakfast and every night before bed.
- Those with braces should brush after lunch also, if possible.
- Make sure they floss every night before bed. This is especially important for teens with crowded teeth or braces. Stand there and watch them brush and floss if you have to! It will save you time and money in the long run, because treating decay is much more expensive and time consuming than preventing it.
- Consider a reward system for brushing and flossing.
- Have your teen wear a mouthguard during sports activities.
- If Orthodontics have been recommended for your teen, invest in them if possible. Straight, even teeth are easier to take care of than crowded teeth.
- Schedule dental visits for your teen every six months.
- Try to get him or her to use a fluoridated mouth rinse (but make sure they are not swallowing it.)
- Discourage oral piercings – which can cause infections in soft tissues and damage or wear to teeth.
- Watch closely for signs of anorexia or bulimia – eating disorders can cause severe damage to teeth. The back of the lower front teeth (where the tongue touches) are worn down and turned dark by stomach acid.
- Clinching and grinding are usually caused by stress. If your teen has all permanent teeth and it is an ongoing problem, consider a “night guard” – a mouthguard designed specifically for your child to wear at night to protect the biting surfaces of the teeth from grinding. Address any areas in your teen’s life that may be causing stress.
- Promote healthy eating and drinking habits.
- Water is best, but milk and no-sugar added juice are also healthy. Avoid soda, tea, and coffee – the syrups in these drinks stain teeth while the acids and sugars eat away at the teeth and cause decay.
- Healthy snacks like cheese crackers, fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, and yogurt are preferable over anything sticky or high in sugar like fruit chews, taffy, chewing gum, or suckers. Remember that Cheddar and Mozzarella cheeses help buffer the acids that cause cavities!
- Discourage smoking and chewing tobacco – which not only cause dark staining and thick buildup on teeth, but also make gums unhealthy and can cause oral cancer.
If you have any questions or concerns about your teen’s oral health, you can call us at (336)887-9277 or e-mail one of our doctors.
Read More About Oral Health for Pre-Teens and Teens
|