Teens and Dental Hygiene

According to the Center for Disease Control, dental decay is the most common chronic disease for teenagers; however, the good news is proper dental hygiene can make a difference in your teenager’s health. According to Dr. Yury Slepak, an American Board Certified Pediatric dentist with Brooklyn Pediatric Dentistry, teens can take a number of relatively easy steps to maintain their dental health.

• Don’t drink soda. Teens are consuming more soda than ever before, but the sugar and acid in soda can create cavities and erode tooth enamel. If your teen does consume soda, he or she can reduce damage to the teeth by sipping it through a straw and rinsing his or her mouth after consumption.
• Wear a mouthguard while playing sports. In order to avoid tooth or soft tissue damage, teens should wear mouthguards when playing any sports. Teens should make sure they wash their guard and store it in a ventilated container.
• Avoid piercings. Tongue and lip piercings can inadvertently chip teeth when your teen is eating or sleeping. Infections can also happen when teens get oral piercings.
• Eat healthy meals. Due to busy schedules, teens often grab food on the go. Providing your teen with healthy snacks; such as, fruits and vegetables, can assist him or her in maintaining oral health and help in reducing sugary treats.
• See the dentist. Your teen should get regular dental exams and cleanings, at least twice a year, to keep his or her smile bright and healthy.

Maintaining good dental hygiene during your teen’s very busy high school years will provide him or her with habits that can last a lifetime.