If you are the parent of a teen, you may have some concerns about his or her well-being. Teens don’t always make good choices when it comes to dental health, from consuming too much junk food to resisting trips to the Yuma dentist.
Many eat ramen noodles instead of a square meal. Others seem to spend more hours on Instagram than sleeping (let alone doing homework). Braces can hinder proper brushing. Eating disorders such as bulimia can quickly erode enamel and impair a smile.
Dental problems manifesting in the adolescent years can influence teeth for life. Let’s review some vital dental issues for adolescents.
Oral Health and Orthodontia
Braces can make proper brushing challenging. Toothbrushes and flossing devices that squirt water can help adolescents with braces clean their teeth and gums.
Clear braces provide an even better solution for brushing, since they are removable.
The third molars usually erupt between late adolescence and the mid-twenties. Common wisdom teeth troubles include bite misalignment, dental caries, gum disease, and damage to the nearby teeth. It is critical to monitor wisdom teeth and follow the counsel of your dentist.
Parents who notice their daughter or son abnormally preoccupied with body image and weight loss should be on the lookout for bulimia and anorexia. These serious eating disorders should not be ignored. Parents are advised to seek treatment immediately if they discover that their teen is binging and purging, or intentionally restricting food.
If you visit any Yuma high school during lunch hour, you will see that sugar-laden soda, juice, and energy drinks are becoming a beverage staple. While juice is definitely the healthiest choice of the three, even that can damage enamel just as effectively as a can of Coke, if you drink a lot of it. Water is the best drink for teeth.
Inadequate Calcium Intake
Some teenagers who drank milk daily as kids curtail their consumption when they start eating meals away from home. This is unfortunate, because calcium is just as essential for adolescents as it is for younger children. For strong teeth and bones, encourage your teen to enjoy low-fat dairy products daily. An alternative is calcium supplements.
Athletics benefit adolescents in a number of ways but, unfortunately, also pose a threat to teeth. Make sure your teen wears a protective custom mouthguard when participating in any activity where a mouth injury can occur.
The Yuma Dentist encourages parents to be vigilant about twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings for their teens, and to get them orthodontics if necessary. Too many oral problems develop unnoticed. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry, and we are a holistic practice.
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