There are a great many things that have to be tackled when it comes to teens. They’re growing, their bodies are changing, their attitudes are changing, and life is changing in general. Along with all these changes come many oral health concerns for teens that shouldn’t be overlooked. The oral health concerns will largely stem from the changes with their bodies and their daily habits.
Eating Unhealthy Foods
It’s very common for teens to eat out a lot, mainly due to a busy schedule they can barely keep up with. Outside of that, with the hormone changes that occur with teens, there tend to be major cravings for fatty, sugary, or carby foods. Eating unhealthy foods, especially junk food such as soda, can really take a toll on oral health. Not only does this foster an environment in the mouth for bad bacteria, it also causes wear to occur on the enamel of the teeth. The best way to combat this is to eat healthier or to limit these types of items. However, if it can’t be helped in many ways, then adding an extra brushing in for the day as well as rinsing the mouth with water after consuming these items will help.
Poor Hygiene
As children go from being kids to teens, their hygiene usually takes a hit. Many of us aren’t strangers to yellow teeth and stinky BO when it comes to teens. However, this poor hygiene, especially when it comes to oral care, can lead to gum disease, cavities, decay, bad breath, etc. Not to mention, their changing bodies can really cause the outcomes to be worse. In order to maintain a healthy mouth, teens must stick with brushing and flossing on a daily basis. Two times a day is suggested.
Tobacco Products
Kids think it’s cool to begin using tobacco products as soon as they can. This urge usually hits in the early teen years and ends up becoming a bigger habit as time goes on. Tobacco products of all types can have far more serious health complications over time. Not only do they cause bad breath, decay, and teeth discoloration but, tobacco products can lead to oral cancer, sores in the mouth, and more. Tobacco products can be a serious issue for teens and should be avoided.
Eating Disorders
The pressure to be pretty and perfect really hits hard in the teen years. Every person wants that perfect figure to be the popular kid in school. This often leads to eating disorders which can be not only a huge detriment in many ways to a teen but, also to their oral health. Throwing up can cause teeth to decay due to excess acid. Not eating can cause dry mouth, bad breath, and other issues.
Teens have enough to deal with, they don’t need bad oral health to be one of them. Help your teen help themselves by teaching them good habits.