As parents, we want the best for our children. We want them to grow up healthy and happy, and we do everything we can to ensure that they have a bright future. One aspect of our children’s health that is often overlooked is their dental health. Teens are especially at risk for poor dental health, and it’s important for parents to be aware of the dangers and take steps to ensure their teens’ dental health. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of teen dental health from a parent’s perspective.

The Importance of Teen Dental Health

As parents, we want the best for our children. We want them to grow up healthy and happy, and we do everything we can to ensure that they have a bright future. One aspect of our children’s health that is often overlooked is their dental health. Teens are especially at risk for poor dental health, and it’s important for parents to be aware of the dangers and take steps to ensure their teens’ dental health.

Why is Teen Dental Health Important?

There are a number of reasons why teen dental health is so important. Teens are likely to develop cavities and other dental problems because they often don’t brush and floss properly. In addition, teens are more likely to eat sugary and acidic foods that can damage their teeth. Moreover, many teens begin to use tobacco products, which can also lead to dental problems.

The Consequences of Poor Teen Dental Health

Poor teen dental health can lead to a number of serious consequences. Teens with poor dental health are more likely to suffer from tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, they may also experience bad breath, toothaches, and other problems. Additionally, poor dental health can lead to low self-esteem and social anxiety.

Common Dental Health Problems for Teens

There are a number of dental health problems that are common among teens. MouthHealthy from the American Dental Association lists some of the common dental health concerns for teens to be:

Braces

If you have a bad bite or your teeth are crooked or out of alignment, you may benefit from braces. Braces can help improve your smile and make your teeth straighter. They can also improve your dental health and overall health because untreated orthodontic problems can make it hard to bite and chew and can interfere with eating

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, also referred to as third molars, get their name by being the last teeth to come in during young adulthood, the time of life when you gain maturity or “wisdom.” The majority of people have most of their permanent teeth by age 13. Your wisdom teeth should come into your mouth between the ages of 17-21. Sometimes they do not have enough room to come in normally or are in the wrong position to come straight up. When that happens, your dentist may refer to them as impacted and they may have to be removed.

Smoking

You know smoking is bad for you in general, so it should be no surprise that all forms of tobacco are also harmful to your oral health. For one, they can cause bad breath, but that’s only the beginning. Other possible oral health impacts include:

• stained teeth and tongue
• dulled sense of taste and smell
• slow healing after a tooth extraction or oral surgery
• difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems
• gum disease and tooth loss
• oral cancer

Mouth Jewelry

Oral piercings or tongue splitting can be dangerous to your health. That’s because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders arise from a variety of complex physical, emotional and social issues. They can also be devastating to your oral health. These eating disorders can also affect a person’s oral health. Without the proper nutrition, gums and other soft tissue inside the mouth may bleed easily.

Tips for Parents: How to Help Your Teen Maintain Good Dental Health

There are a number of things that parents can do to help their teen maintain good dental health. First, you should make sure that your teen brushes and flosses properly. You should also encourage your teen to eat healthy foods and avoid sugary and acidic drinks. In addition, you should discourage your teen from using tobacco products. Finally, you should take your teen to the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry

At Mountain Aire Dentistry, we are committed to helping our patients achieve and maintain good dental health. We offer a wide range of dental services, including braces, wisdom teeth removal, and cosmetic dentistry. We also provide education on proper oral hygiene practices. If you are concerned about your teen’s dental health, please call us to schedule an appointment.