By age 17, about 80 percent of young people have experienced one or more cavities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Inadequate dental hygiene can lead to serious complications, with most American adults developing gingivitis or periodontal disease to some degree during their lifetime. Since teens tend to lead fast-paced academic and social lives, they are particularly at risk for neglecting their oral hygiene routines. And because they are independently mobile, parents may have less control over scheduling regular dental checkups for them. Following are a few points to share with your teen:
- Limit sugary soft drinks and those flavored with acidic-tasting additives, which can destroy tooth enamel. If your son or daughter insists on consuming lots of soft drinks, suggest drinking them through a straw, which can limit direct contact with the teeth. And if your teen remembers to rinse his or her mouth thoroughly afterward, the risk of developing cavities shrinks.
- Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least two minutes per session. Playing a favorite song while brushing can help your teen reach this goal in an easy and enjoyable way. They should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and go over all surfaces of the teeth, inside, outside, and along the chewing surface. In addition, they should make sure to floss in order to remove particles around the gum line.
- Wear a mouth guard when playing contact sports. Teens should store the mouth guard in a well-ventilated container to avoid bacteria.
- Follow the instructions carefully when using any whitening product. Chances are your teen does not really need a teeth whitener, since teeth tend to yellow as people grow older. But if your teen insists, check with a dentist first to see if an in-office treatment would be a better choice than an over-the-counter purchase.
- Although it may be fashionable, tongue piercing can lead to chipped teeth, infection, or even damage so severe that a root canal may be required. You and your teen should reconsider an interest in this potentially dangerous practice.
- Limit sugary soft drinks and those flavored with acidic-tasting additives, which can destroy tooth enamel. If your son or daughter insists on consuming lots of soft drinks, suggest drinking them through a straw, which can limit direct contact with the teeth. And if your teen remembers to rinse his or her mouth thoroughly afterward, the risk of developing cavities shrinks.
- Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least two minutes per session. Playing a favorite song while brushing can help your teen reach this goal in an easy and enjoyable way. They should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and go over all surfaces of the teeth, inside, outside, and along the chewing surface. In addition, they should make sure to floss in order to remove particles around the gum line.
- Wear a mouth guard when playing contact sports. Teens should store the mouth guard in a well-ventilated container to avoid bacteria.
- Follow the instructions carefully when using any whitening product. Chances are your teen does not really need a teeth whitener, since teeth tend to yellow as people grow older. But if your teen insists, check with a dentist first to see if an in-office treatment would be a better choice than an over-the-counter purchase.
- Although it may be fashionable, tongue piercing can lead to chipped teeth, infection, or even damage so severe that a root canal may be required. You and your teen should reconsider an interest in this potentially dangerous practice.