When your child becomes a teenager, hygiene becomes even more important. As their bodies change, the risks of oral and overall health problems increase. For many parents, convincing their teenager to take his or her oral hygiene seriously can be a challenge, but there are easy ways for you to help your teenager gain and maintain good oral hygiene.
The best person to ask for advice about your teenager’s oral hygiene is a family dentist. They work with patients of all ages, especially children and teenagers, and thoroughly enjoy teaching them how to brush and floss properly. This topic probably isn’t exactly what your teen wants to talk about, but a family dentist will do her best to make oral hygiene as interesting and relevant as possible.
Here are five tips from our Lombard family dentist to improve your teenager’s oral hygiene:
1. Limit the sweets in your house.
Unless your teen is already driving and has a job, he or she will most likely be eating and drinking whatever you provide. Stock up on these foods to support your entire family’s oral health:
- Cheese
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Water
- Crunchy veggies
- Leafy greens
- Apples
- Pears
- Nuts
- Green tea
Sugar is one of the main culprits of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Do your best to reduce the number of sugary drinks and snacks in your home to improve the oral and overall health of your family.
2. Stock up on oral hygiene products.
Most teenagers enjoy spending money on clothes, food, and activities, but they probably won’t be running to the store to pick up their own oral hygiene products. To ensure your teenager’s oral hygiene routine isn’t interrupted, be sure to keep toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash handy.
Remember that toothbrushes need to be replaced at least every three to four months, sooner if the bristles become frayed or if your teen has been sick.
3. Remind them of good oral hygiene habits.
While your teen is probably adamant that he’s brushing and flossing properly and often enough, it can’t hurt to remind him. The basic rule of tooth brushing is to brush two times a day two minutes each time. As for flossing, the best practice is to floss in the evening to remove any remaining food particles or debris from between the teeth.
4. Encourage mouthguards.
Did you know that more than 200,000 sports-related mouth and jaw injuries happen each year? Yikes! Protect your little (or not so little) one’s mouth by having your dentist make a custom mouthguard. All it takes is one visit for the dentist to take a mold of your teen’s mouth to have the guard created.
Not only will it save your child’s smile, but it will also save you from an expensive emergency dental visit later.
5. Take him/her to regular dental cleanings.
Children, teens, and adults should attend regular dental cleanings and exams at least every six months. These appointments aren’t just for cleaning teeth. Your family dentist will help keep track of your teenager’s oral hygiene by checking for cavities and signs of gum disease. When these issues are detected early, the treatments are much more conservative and affordable.
The Teenagers’ Oral Hygiene Expert
There’s no one better to discuss your teenager’s oral hygiene with than a family dentist. At Dental Care of Lombard, Dr. Julie Glud works with patients of all ages to help them achieve healthy, beautiful smiles.
To schedule an initial consultation or dental cleaning and exam appointment with our friendly dental team, call (630) 629-5700 today.
