The life of a teenager can be very busy thanks to homework, sports practice and school dances. As their responsibilities and social activities increase, many teenagers tend to neglect good oral hygiene, which puts the health and beauty of their smile at risk. Even though your child is all grown up, you still play an important role in instilling good oral health habits. In this blog post, Crossroads Dental of Longmont dentist Dr. Amy Farmer shares important oral health tips all parents and teenagers should know.
Use a Mouth Guard
Every year, thousands of people visit the emergency room due to sports-related dental accidents. The easiest way your teenager can protect their teeth, mouth and jaw from a serious dental injury is to wear a mouth guard when playing sports. Wearing a mouth guard may seem inconvenient but it cannot compare to the inconvenience of a serious (and costly) dental injury. If your teen wears braces, their dentist or orthodontist can help them select a mouth guard that is well fitted and can protect the teeth, jaw and mouth the best.
Snack Healthy
You may not be able to control everything your teenager eats but you can still do your part in ensuring good eating habits. Potato chips, French fries, popcorn, candy and soda may be delicious but they can lead to cavities. Limit the amount of junk food in the kitchen and stock up on healthy alternatives like carrots, cheese, apples and low-fat yogurt.
Say No to Oral Piercings
Oral piercings are a popular form of self-expression but can have dangerous effects on your oral health. If not properly cared for, a lip or tongue can become infected and cause pain and swelling. Oral piercings can also injure the gums, cause nerve damage or crack a tooth. Dr. Farmer strongly advises against oral piercings. If your teenager is interested in getting one, schedule a consultation with Dr. Farmer so she can explain the dangers of oral piercings in detail as well as go over proper maintenance steps with your teenager.
Consider an Orthodontic Treatment
Crooked, misaligned teeth not only can affect a teenager’s self-esteem and confidence, they also open the door to a slew of oral health problems. If your child is in need of a teeth alignment treatment, Dr. Farmer can help. She offers both traditional braces and short-term orthodontics at her practice in Longmont. ClearCorrect and Bioliner invisible aligners are both clear, removable trays that can straighten teeth in a shorter amount of time than traditional braces and without wires or brackets. Both ClearCorrect and Bioliner are custom-made to match each patient’s unique specifications and allow patients to straighten their teeth as inconspicuously as possible.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups in Longmont
The busy life of a teenager is no excuse to skip regular dental checkups and cleanings. During your teenager’s routine dental checkup, Dr. Farmer will check for any dental problems, and if one is detected, she can address it promptly. The dentist will also go over oral health tips so your teenager is equipped with the proper knowledge on how to keep their smile healthy.
To schedule a routine dental checkup for you or your child, please contact Dr. Farmer’s office at (303) 776-1480.
