Help Teens Navigate Dental Health
At Smile Dental Clinics, we care about the oral health of our patients of all ages. For our younger patients, we often request that parents assist in teaching them how to properly care for their teeth. Many parents help brush to ensure that all teeth, especially the rear molars, are being cleaned properly. The goal is that, as a child ages, they will be in a routine of properly brushing and flossing their teeth. Once children move into their teenage years, it can be difficult for parents to manage their oral health habits.
Even if you don’t have a teenager at home, you may still remember the feeling of leaving childhood and longing for the freedom of adulthood. It is a time of uncertainty when you are learning more about yourself and what you enjoy without the influence of your parents. We want to help our teenage patients understand the harm they can cause their teeth when they are not cared for properly.
Maintain Oral Health Habits
The best thing you can do for your child is to continue to stress the same points you did during their childhood. While teenagers may not make the best food choices while they are not in your presence it is important to stress to them the need to continue to properly care for their teeth and gums. This is particularly important if they are receiving orthodontic care. Making poor food choices and not cleaning teeth properly is a guarantee of decay developing, and if braces are involved, it can be even worse for oral health. Other tips to help protect your teen’s teeth include:
- Limit soft drinks and sports drinks and encourage drinking water instead
- Provide healthy snack options and discourage fast food and junk food options
- Encourage brushing and flossing after meals, especially when wearing braces
- Wear a mouthguard when playing any sport
If you, your teen, or another loved one has not visited our office located in Phoenix, AZ recently for a hygiene examination, we encourage you to call today to schedule an appointment. Be sure to notify our office of any concerns that you might have. We look forward to seeing you and your family soon!
