Teen Oral Health

Maintaining good oral health during the teenage years involves proper brushing techniques, addressing teeth alignment issues with braces when needed, avoiding harmful habits like smoking and mouth piercings, and protecting teeth through healthy food choices and mouthguards for sports.

Teenagers are not kids anymore, but not adults yet. And they often don't like being told what to do. Keep the following things in mind when helping teens maintain good oral health habits.

Basic Cleaning

Everyone should brush twice a day for two minutes. But most people don’t like to floss. Our online article, Brushing Your Teeth the Right Way, lists tips on how your teen can get the most of their brushing time.

Teeth Alignment Issues

Once adult teeth come in by the age of 13, some teens will need braces. Braces not only make smiles look better, but straighten teeth and prevent future problems. Teeth that are too close together are hard to clean, which can cause cavities and gum disease, says the American Dental Association (ADA). When teeth don't line up right, it can wear down tooth enamel, make it hard to chew or talk, and cause jaw problems. 

And remember: good brushing is super important with braces. If teeth aren't cleaned well, sticky stuff can build up around the brackets and permanently stain and damage teeth.

The ADA also reminds parents that wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 17 and 21. They can get stuck under the gums (impacted) which can cause pain, infection and even hurt nearby teeth. So, make sure your teen sees a dentist regularly.

Other Dangers

Smoking and vaping are bad for the mouth and overall health, so urge your teen to just say no. They should also say no to mouth piercings. The mouth has millions of germs, so piercings may cause infections and swelling. Mouth piercings can also chip or damage teeth.

Protecting Teeth for the Future

Set your teen up for success:

• Help them choose foods wisely. Foods with calcium make tooth enamel stronger. Sugary foods create sticky plaque that hurts teeth and gums.
• Teens who play sports should wear mouthguards. And make sure to limit sports drinks and energy bars which have lots of sugar.
• When teens can't brush after eating sugary snacks or drinks, they should rinse their mouths with water.
• Your dentist might suggest a sealant to protect parts of the mouth from decay.

Whatever your age or stage, improving the oral health of all is our mission at DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S. Click here for more helpful oral health tips and information for you and your family.