Teens and Teeth
Teenagers are self-conscious about their smile and how others see them. Most teenagers are still figuring out who they are and what they want to be when they grow up, and they’re unsure how to maintain a healthy appearance. Teens seek seeking an attractive, healthy smile that can enhance their personality. Teens, on the other hand, consume a lot of sugary meals, soda, and energy drinks, all of which can cause teeth decay and cavities.
Here are some simple and good mouth-healthy tips for teenagers:
- Floss daily
- Brush twice a day
- Avoid sugary and starchy in-between meal foods
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid lip piercings
- Visit your dentist regularly
Concerns Unique To Teens
Crooked Teeth and Braces
For teenagers, appearance is extremely important, as it can help them increase their self-esteem and confidence. Teenagers value having a wonderful smile, which necessitates the use of high-quality teeth. Crooked teeth and braces, on the other hand, can make teenagers feel unattractive and reduce their confidence and self-esteem. Crooked teeth and braces can make it difficult for teenagers to brush and floss their teeth, leading to dental decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.
Braces are necessary since they straighten the teeth and give you a beautiful smile. Braces, on the other hand, are not usually popular among teenagers since they make them appear unsightly. Today, there are a variety of options available, such as tooth-colored plastic braces in a variety of colours. Removable clear retainers can be used in conjunction with invisible retainers to maintain the overall appearance.
Orthodontics is a type of dentistry that focuses on straightening teeth in order to provide a beautiful smile and perfectly aligned teeth. The duration of treatment is usually 18 months, and the type of brace used is determined by the sort of treatment necessary.
Fixed Braces
Fixed braces, sometimes known as “train tracks,” consist of metal or tooth-colored brackets through which a wire runs to pull the teeth into the proper position. It may feel strange at first because the brackets may rub on the inside of your lips and cheeks, and there may be some jaw pain. Your orthodontist, on the other hand, can supply you with wax or medications to help you with your issues. Teens can eat a variety of foods, although toffees, crusty breads, cheesy sweets, and hard foods should be avoided. It is critical to look after your teeth when wearing braces, as they may become permanently discoloured. Elastic bands may also be used by your dentist to increase the pressure on specific teeth.
Retainers
After removing fixed braces, kids might continue to wear retainers to keep their teeth from moving back to their original position. Retainers can be worn for up to six months, primarily at night, to keep your teeth in the proper position.
Brushing teeth twice a day using flouride toothpaste is recommended by the IDA. You can have a healthy diet as long as you avoid sugary foods and drinks that can harm your teeth while wearing the retainer. It’s also a good idea to wipe the retainer to remove any food particles. To achieve optimum outcomes, wear retainers for the maximum number of hours per day, or as prescribed by your dentist.
Mouthguards
Early tooth loss in adolescence can have a psychological impact, thus it’s critical to safeguard your teeth. Mouthguards, also known as mouth cushions, are plastic appliances that can reduce the danger of teeth breaking and protect the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaws from damage. Mouthguards are commonly worn by athletes and those participating in recreational activities. While there are several mouthguards on the market, the finest mouthguards are those developed specifically for you by your dentist. This ensures that the mouthguard is properly fitted to your mouth and that it is not loose or likely to fall off during your activity.
The IDA suggests that you:
- When participating in sports, wearing a mouthguard is recommended.
- Getting optimal protection by using a custom-made mouthguard
How Should You Look After Your Mouthguard?
- Before and after each use, rinse or brush the mouthguard.
- Keep an eye out for any damage on a regular basis. Replace it if it’s broken.
- Transport it safely in a secure box with vents.
- Avoid exposing it to direct sunshine or hot water.
Dental Emergencies
Accidents can happen at any moment and in any location, so you must take precautions to protect yourself. If your kid has a dental emergency, you should take him or her to the dentist right away.
Mouth Sores Mouth sores can be caused by a variety of factors. If they are caused by new braces, however, you can use a topical anaesthetic and acetaminophen as directed on the label or by the dentist.
Erosion
Erosion is the erosion of a tooth’s enamel, which is usually caused by an acid attack. While erosion resembles tooth decay, it differs in that it is caused by an acid attack rather than a bacterial attack. Foods and liquids can erode the enamel, exposing the teeth to a variety of dental disorders. However, because erosion is a slow process, few people are aware of it until a large quantity of enamel has been lost. As the enamel erodes, it often appears as a depression on the upper surface of the molar teeth, and the molars get thinner.
How Can Erosion Be Prevented?
- Eat and consume less acidic foods and beverages.
- Don’t keep your drinks in your mouth for too long.
- To reduce or neutralise dietary acids, finish your meal with cheese or a milk-based beverage.
- Brush your teeth one hour after you’ve eaten. Brushing immediately after a meal can cause more damage to the enamel.
Oral Piercing
Fashion is all about experimenting with oneself, and many youngsters all over the world like oral piercings because they make them look and feel good, but they also have health implications and are not completely safe. Oral piercings have adverse consequences that teenagers and even adults are unaware of. Oral infections can cause long-term sores and adverse effects, as well as bleeding and disease transmission. Certain oral bacteria have the potential to reach the bloodstream, causing underlying heart issues. People who have their tongues pierced frequently experience gum problems and teeth wear and tear, as well as difficulties eating, swallowing, and speaking properly.
Smoking/Tobacco
Teens are frequently enticed into harmful behaviours such as smoking and tobacco use, which can have a negative influence on their health. Tooth discoloration, persistent bad breath, diminished perception of taste and smell, tartar accumulation, gum disorders, tooth loss, oral cancer, lung cancer, mouth sores, chronic bronchitis, and heart disease are all possible consequences.
Methmouth
Teens who experiment with drugs encounter a variety of complications, including oral issues such as methmouth. The use of the illegal and extremely addictive substance methamphetamine causes this oral issue. This medicine not only has a negative impact on the central nervous system, but it also has a negative impact on oral health. It can cause high blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and other dental disorders such as tooth decay, blackening, staining, rotting, and crumbling.
Eating Disorders
Teens must also pay attention to the amount of food they consume because bad eating habits might contribute to tooth problems. Inadequate or excessive food intake can have a negative impact on an individual’s health, which can be caused by physical, mental, emotional, or social concerns.
The importance of eating the correct foods for one’s body cannot be overstated. Gums and teeth in the mouth might bleed easily if they are not properly nourished. It can also impact saliva production, resulting in persistent dry mouth. Acid reflux can erode the enamel, which can lead to dental problems if you vomit frequently. If you have an eating disorder, the IDA suggests seeing your dentist. Eating disorders can be treated with better nutrition, family counselling, psychotherapy, pharmaceuticals, and other methods.
Wisdom Tooth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth that emerge from the mouth
Wisdom teeth can cause a variety of issues, thus it is recommended that you see a dentist about them. They erupt into adulthood, when the majority of them already have their permanent teeth, and are known as third molars. When a wisdom teeth is unable to locate the appropriate space to erupt, you should seek treatment from a dentist. Because wisdom teeth have no set schedule, it is necessary to keep track of their progress. Wisdom teeth may need to be extracted in some circumstances, especially if there is pain, infection, tumours, cysts, damage to neighbouring teeth, gum disease, or dental decay.
Bad Breath
One of the most prevalent oral disorders is bad breath, which is caused by a lack of personal maintenance. Awful breath can occur for a variety of reasons, but it can be effectively treated so that your mouth remains fresh and does not smell bad.
The food you consume has a significant impact on the way your mouth smells. Garlic and onions, for example, can cause foul breath, so brush and floss after each meal to remove food particles from your mouth. Poor breath or a bad taste in the mouth can also be caused by gum disease.
Due to a decrease in saliva flow, dry mouth can also cause an unpleasant odour in the mouth. Food particles are not thoroughly cleansed due to a lack of saliva. Apart from staining the teeth and causing overall health problems, smoking and tobacco can cause bad breath. Other medical disorders that might cause bad breath include lung infections, kidney disease, diabetes, and bronchitis.
Brushing and flossing properly, according to the IDA, can assist to eliminate foul breath problems. If you have foul breath, you should also see your dentist.
Leukoplakia
Inside the cheeks, gums, or tongue, these are thick, whitish-colored patches. Excess cell proliferation causes the patches, which are very common among tobacco smokers. These can also be caused by ill-fitting dentures or incorrect chewing techniques. Because leukoplakia has been linked to oral cancer, your dentist may prescribe a biopsy of the patch.
Nutrition Tips for Teens
Teenagers are in the process of transitioning from childhood to adulthood, and they are often unsure about who they want to be and how they might properly care for their bodies and mouths. Teens are ecstatic about self-discovery and discovering new possibilities and notions that appeal to them throughout this stage. Many teenagers enjoy experimenting, and as a result, they often pick up drugs, smoking, drinking, and even uninvited sex. Peers are extremely important to teenagers, therefore they want to maintain their health and looks.
Many teenagers also want to make sure that they follow their own guidelines when it comes to how they dress and what they eat. They frequently overlook healthy eating habits because they are preoccupied with other peer and group activities. As a result, it is up to parents to ensure that they explain the value of appropriate nutrition to their children through conversation rather than coercion.
Teenagers require a lot of energy to keep active and handle a variety of activities, thus fruits and vegetables should be a staple in every meal. This is to guarantee that the body gets all of the necessary minerals and vitamins.
Grains are equally vital, thus whole grains such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and brown rice should be included in the diet.
Teens should also make an effort to consume low-fat or fat-free dairy products, which will allow them to obtain dairy-based nutrients without consuming too much fat.
Lean proteins, such as lean beef, skinless poultry, and fish, must also be consumed by teenagers. Eggs, peas, beans, and legumes are all good sources of lean protein. Although it is difficult to resist junk food, kids should avoid foods that are harmful to their health.
Teens who chew gum should choose sugarless gum that helps to maintain a healthy pH balance in the mouth. Those who wear braces must avoid eating things that could interfere with the braces and cause wires to bend accidently. It is not advisable to eat nuts, popcorn, or sticky foods while wearing braces.
