Teenage Dental Care

A bright smile with fresh breath means a healthy mouth! It also means that you can talk and laugh with confidence. During these growing years your face and jaws will undergo many changes. KEEP up with your dental checkups. Professional teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments and sealants are important ways to enhance your dental health and monitor for adverse growth changes.

Did you know that:

1. You have not outgrown TOOTH DECAY. In fact, it is more of a problem for teenage patients than it is for young children. Teenage children have more acidic mouths and diets which lead to more demineralization of the enamel of teeth. SNACK SMART! Most snack foods and drinks including sports drinks have large amounts of sugar and carbohydrates in them which cause damage to the teeth and gums. EAT INTELLIGENTLY! When on the run, eat more fruits, cheeses, and nuts. These are nature's cavity fighters!
2. GUM DISEASE (gingivitis) is a risk to your dental and medical health. It is also a threat to your appearance. Gum disease causes red, swollen, bleeding gums, AND bad breath! Good habits and practicing prevention twice a day is important. TAKE the time to brush and floss prior to falling asleep at night with a fluoridated tooth paste. You only need to do this for the teeth your want to keep!!!
3. You have all your PERMANENT (adult) teeth with the exception of your wisdom teeth by the age of 14. WEAR a mouth guard for all contact sports! Our office has a variety of mouth guards for teenagers with and without braces that can be adapted to their mouth for the best protection.
4. The warnings you hear and read about are TRUE! DON'T smoke or chew tobacco! Besides lung and heart problems smoking tobacco can and does cause oral cancer. Tobacco use is estimated to account for 90% of cancers of the oral cavity and throat. If you notice changes in your mouth, have an oral cancer screening done immediately.