Teenagers oral health | Tips and Guide

Teenage is one of the most crucial and best phases of our life. Our Hormones and energy levels are at a peak. We are at the top of productivity and enthusiasm. However, it is the major time when we must take care of our dental health. Here are a few concerns about teenagers oral health.

Wisdom Teeth

Also referred to as the third molars, occur during our young adulthood. The majority of the people have most of their permanent teeth by age 13. Your wisdom teeth should come into your mouth between the ages of 16-20. However, not everyone’s teeth develop at the same duration.

Hence, it's necessary to visit your dentist regularly so that he can see the development of your wisdom teeth. Sometimes, wisdom tooth needs to be removed as the mouth experiences some issues such as pain, infection, tumours, gum disease, tooth decay, etc.

Eating Disorders affects teenagers oral health

Teenage is a phase when you crave fast foods such as chocolates, chips, aerated drinks, etc. But, we all know that overeating such foods can lead to several dental problems such as caries, gum diseases, etc. As mentioned earlier, teenage is a phase when our energy levels are at the top. Therefore, lack of proper nutrition can cause bleeding gums. The prevalence of cavities has increased because of the binge eating these days. For better oral hygiene toothbrushing, flossing and tongue cleaning are very important for a good dental future.

Addictions

Similar to eating junk, the adolescents also get attracted to addictions such as drinking alcohol and smoking. Smoking and drinking alcohol is an open invitation to several hazards in the future. Smoking can cause your gums and lips to become dark as well as cause staining on the teeth. The gums may also become swollen due to the heat. Smokers often have a dry mouth making them more susceptible to cavities and gum infections. Alcohol hampers the healing process of the oral tissues and may also cause burning sensations.

Braces

If you have misaligned teeth, Braces can help you to improve your smile and rectify your bite. Teenagers face that phase of their lives when they want to look their best. That's the age when looks matter to them the most. Some children might have crowded teeth, spaces between their teeth, upper front teeth protruding out, teeth out of alignment, the lower jaw is more behind than it should be, etc. which affects their personality and their attitude. In such cases, your child may need to consult an orthodontist to correct his or her dental arches or teeth.

Seeking treatment at the age of 8-9 years gives better results than at an older age. Giving your child the perfect smile they want can boost their confidence and personality to a level where they'll be able to face the world and its challenges.

Ulcers

Teenagers today face stress in the smallest of the smallest things. Teenagers carry the whole burden of academic pressures and peer pressures. Teenagers have to cope up with so many things while they aspire to become all-rounders. Stress is something they have to deal with every day with the expectations of the parents, teachers and friends. Teenagers are more prone to develop what we call stress ulcers. Stress ulcers are more common during exam time. Stress ulcers are nothing but what everyone faces in their daily lives. It can occur anywhere in the mouth Like lips, gums tongue, etc.

Teenagers oral health tips for parents

1. Supervise your kid when he-she is brushing and flossing teeth. We all know that our kids are always in a hurry. Negligence in undergoing simple and routine rituals may result in several issues in the future.
2. Encourage your kids to eat nutritious home-cooked food. Proper nutrition is the key to not only your dental health but also your overall health. Try to make their favorite dishes at home to avoid eating outside food.
3. Remind them to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out the food particles and debris and prevent cavities and gum infections.
4. Make sure your kid doesn’t smoke or drink alcohol. Teenagers get easily attracted to such addictions.
5. Teenagers are notorious about their looks, so appealing their image can be done to encourage them to brush teeth and visit the dentists regularly. A gap in any oral care may result in yellow stains, or missing teeth, which can affect their aesthetics.
6. Consult an orthodontist at the earliest if you think your child's teeth are out of alignment.
7. Get them into a habit of brushing twice daily, flossing and tongue cleaning.
8. Gift them cleaning and polishing appointment from a dentist every year on their birthday even if your child is free of any dental pain or cavities to avoid them in the near future.