Keeping teeth clean and healthy is probably the last thing a teenager thinks about during their day. But, more than fifty one million hours of school time are lost each year due to dental related illnesses. There are several different teen oral and dental health issues out there that even you may not be aware of. And while keeping their teeth clean and healthy may be a parent’s concern, it may not be for a teen. Let’s take a look at some dental concerns from a teenager’s perspective.
Acne and teeth care
You’re probably asking yourself how in the world acne and teeth are even related. Acne can be a huge problem for some adolescent teens and a major concern. However, as a parent you might want to know that Minocycline, which is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for acne can cause the teeth and bone to discolor. So while your teen might be concerned about their face, make sure they are aware of the damage the medicine can cause to their teeth.
Bad Breath
From a teenager’s perspective, having bad breath is almost as bad as wearing a bad outfit. In their small world however they probably don’t realize that everyone suffers from bad breath for several different reasons. Bad breath can be caused by foods you eat, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, gum disease, and especially with the use of tobacco products. Teaching your teen good oral health habits can help them avoid bad breath and embarrassment among peers. Effective tongue cleaning is one of the best ways to prevent bad breath as most bacteria and food particles will just sit on the tongue until they have been brushed away.
Braces
Teens aren’t particularly fond of them but for some it can make a huge difference. Accidents happen and there aren’t many people around that have completely straight teeth with just the perfect bite. Braces can help straighten and align your teeth and jaw so that later on in life you will have a more natural appearance. Crooked and crowded teeth are actually harder to take care of and can sometimes lead to tooth decay, which is another totally different problem to tackle. Abnormal bites can cause bone and jaw problems so you want to avoid that as well. While not the most popular thing for a teen, braces are definitely the best way to fix abnormal bites and crooked teeth.
Keeping your teen’s teeth healthy
The best way to keep your teen’s teeth healthy and clean is to:
1. Make regularly scheduled dental appointments for them
2. Limit snacks and pop
Snacking throughout the day can increase the chances of developing tooth decay so don’t just go for the quick and easy snacks as they usually have more sugar and are worse for your teeth. Have some healthy snacks available for them to eat instead of just eating candy bars and soda. Fruits, vegetables, and milk products like yogurt are much better for your teeth. In addition, encourage them to drink water instead of soda.
Although it’s not discussed much, teen oral and dental health issues are just as important as taking care of your mental and physical body parts. And it can save them and you a ton of money in the long run if you keep up good dental habits in the first place.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to