Dental Care for Teens
With their hectic school schedules and busy social lives, teens have it tough as they assume responsibility for their own dental health and eating habits.
Teens can do a good job of protecting their smiles in just minutes every day by following a few straightforward rules such as brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, preferably before bedtime, maintain a healthy diet, limit between meal snacks and beverages (and choose only nutritious snacks).
They can also wear a mouth guard for sporting activities, avoid tobacco and other harmful habits, report dental injuries or other problems as soon as they occur and remember to visit your pediatric dentist regularly.
Dental Care for Teens
With their hectic school schedules and busy social lives, teens have it tough as they assume responsibility for their own dental health and eating habits.
Teens can do a good job of protecting their smiles in just minutes every day by following a few straightforward rules such as brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, preferably before bedtime, maintain a healthy diet, limit between meal snacks and beverages (and choose only nutritious snacks).
They can also wear a mouth guard for sporting activities, avoid tobacco and other harmful habits, report dental injuries or other problems as soon as they occur and remember to visit your pediatric dentist regularly.
Dental Checkups and Cleanings
We will discuss your teen’s dental health, including any concerns or needed dental procedures. We will guide and encourage your child to continue improving their techniques for brushing and flossing if they are not one hundred percent efficient. We may recommend applying dental sealants to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Most importantly, we will educate your child about the importance of proper oral hygiene practices for a healthy smile.
SEALANTS
Permanent molars are susceptible to develop cavities when the grooves and crevices are very deep, those surfaces are the hardest to clean because they trap the most plaque. Sealants will protect the chewing surfaces with the placement of a thin layer of tooth colored protective coating.
SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE
The placement of SDF may be a good adjunctive alternative to ensure that those small in between cavities don’t grow however maintaining a good oral hygiene including brushing and flossing and keeping a healthy diet are imperative for this treatment to be effective.
BONDINGS
For chipped or discolored teeth, new treatments in cosmetic dentistry can restore the look of a teen’s smile. Teens should talk to their pediatric dentist about treatment choices to help them feel more confident about their appearance.
NIGHT GUARDS AND SPORTS GUARDS
Whether a child wins or loses the latest game, no parent wants their child on the injured list. Dental and facial injuries represent a high percentage of the total injuries experienced in youth sports. Use of a mouth guard could prevent many of these injuries. From soccer balls and in-line skates to leotards and softball jerseys, the shopping list for children’s sports seems endless. To save money and a child’s smile, add a mouth protector to your list to ask Dr. Karen at your next dental visit.
Dr. Karen can provide mouth protectors that are made of soft plastic. Most are made to fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth. A mouth guard not only protects the teeth but may reduce the force that can cause concussions, neck injuries and jaw fractures.
A child should wear a mouth protector whenever they are in an activity with a risk of falls, collisions or contact with hard surfaces or equipment. This includes sports such as football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, wrestling and gymnastics, as well as leisure activities such as skateboarding, skating and bicycling. Preformed or boil-to-fit mouth guards can be purchased in sporting goods stores. Different types and brands vary in terms of comfort protection and cost. Customized mouth guards can be made by a pediatric dentist.
TEETH WHITENING
Due to the difference in the thickness of enamel of primary and permanent teeth, tooth coloration within a dental arch may vary significantly during the mixed dentition.
Full arch cosmetic bleaching during mixed dentition, would result in mismatched dental appearance once the child is in the permanent dentition, for that reason Dr. Karen does not recommended at this stage of life. Adolescents present with unique dental needs, and the impact of tooth discoloration on an adolescent’s self-image could be considered an indication for bleaching.
Tooth whitening has been successful in adolescent patients using typical bleaching agents; Dental whitening may be accomplished by using at-home bleaching modalities. Dr. Karen will do an initial professional examination to help identify the causes of discoloration and clinical concerns with treatment (e.g., existing restorations, side effects), explain the importance of compliance, The possible results and immediate attention to teeth sensitivity and other adverse effects.
The pre-treatment professional assessment helps identify the causes that may be associated with a single discolored tooth or general discoloration. This examination also identifies restorations that are faulty or could be affected by the bleaching process, and the associated costs for replacing such restorations to maximize esthetic results.
By using photographs and/or a shade guide, Dr. Karen can document the effectiveness of treatment. Dr. Karen can guide you if over the counter bleaching is enough or fabrication of custom trays for at-home use of a bleaching product is needed. Custom trays ensure intimate fit and fewer adverse gingival effects. Over-the-counter products for at-home use include bleaching gels, whitening strips, brush-on agents, toothpaste, mints, chewing gum, and mouth rinse. Their main advantages include patient convenience and lower associated costs. Peroxide-containing whiteners or bleaching agents improve the appearance by changing the tooth’s intrinsic color. The professional-use products usually range from 10 percent carbamide peroxide (equivalent to about three percent hydrogen peroxide) to 38 percent carbamide peroxide (equivalent to approximately 13 percent hydrogen peroxide), which can give you faster results.
ORAL HEALTH CHECKLIST FOR TEENS
An important change at this time in a teen’s life is taking responsibility for his dental health and eating habits. Teens can protect their health, smile and overall appearance with the following checklist.
Did you know the average teen eats nine times a day?
Choose wisely!
Even though your schedule is hectic and you eat on the run, you can select fresh fruits and vegetables instead of junk foods. Cheese, air-popped popcorn and yogurt are healthy alternatives to high-fat or high-sugar snacks. For the sake of your dental health and your waistline, do not let snacks take the place of nutritionally balanced meals.
When you do not have time to brush after a snack or a meal, clear the food from your teeth with a swish and rinse of water.
Or try sugarless gum with xylitol. Although it is not in the same league as brushing in terms of effectiveness, it can help prevent tooth decay.
Brush twice a day – after breakfast and before bed – with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss once a day to prevent gum disease and tooth decay on the sides of the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach.
Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
(According to the Centers for Disease Control, tobacco use among high schoolers is 20% and 13% of teen boys use smokeless tobacco.) Besides lung and heart problems, tobacco can cause oral cancer. If you are using tobacco and notice any changes in your mouth, contact your pediatric dentist immediately.
Wear a mouth guard during any sport or activity with a risk of falls, collisions or contact with hard surfaces or equipment.
This includes sports such as football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, wrestling and gymnastics, as well as leisure activities such as skateboarding, skating and bicycling.