Dental Care For Teenage Teeth

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Teenage teeth need to be protected by maintaining good oral health. Although regular brushing and flossing are important, the oral health of teenagers is also often associated with risk factors such as diet, sporting injuries, smoking and alcohol and mouth and tongue piercings. With the help of Dental Care Glebe, you and your teenager can take better care of their oral health.

Preventing Damage To Teenage Teeth

Here are a few tips from our dentists at Dental Care Glebe for oral health care:

  • Limit sugars and processed foods to mealtimes instead of between meals
  • Choose snacks such as cheese, natural yoghurt, fresh fruit and vegetables, dry biscuits and nuts
  • Choose water, particularly tap water, and plain milk to drink both with and between meals
  • Limit soft drinks, sports drinks, juice, flavoured water and other carbonated drinks
  • Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow and help protect teeth from decay between meals
  • Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily
  • Use a toothbrush with a small, compact head and soft bristles
  • Change toothbrushes when the bristles appear ‘shaggy’
  • Make sure that teens brush well around braces, using a floss threader to remove all food particles
  • Wear a professionally fitted mouthguard when training and playing sports with injury risks
  • If you smoke, quit as soon as you can and quit for good
  • If you drink alcohol, limit your intake, as alcoholic drinks are also high in sugar
  • Have regular oral health checkups instead of waiting for a problem to arise
  • Seek advice from an oral health professional about how often you should have checkups.

Diet and Decay In Teenagers

Consuming food and drinks that are sugary or high in carbohydrates causes the bacteria in the mouth and plaque to break down and form acids. These acids dissolve the outer surface of the tooth, known as the enamel. The first sign of this occurring is a chalky white spot and at this stage, the decay process can be reversed.

If you suspect that or your teenager have the start of tooth decay, make an appointment to see us at Dental Care Glebe today.