Tips for Teens to Save Their Smiles

When children are little, their parents take them to see a kids dentist on a regular basis. But soon teens want to manage their own lives, yet can’t manage to make time to visit the dentist. This leads to a great deal of dental problems that can last throughout their lives. But taking care of teeth can take very little time and effort, as long as teens follow these tips from pediatric dentists.

Reduce Soda Consumption

Teens could be called the “carbonation nation” because they are reaching for soft drinks at a rapid rate. These drinks may quench their thirst, but their acids and sugars are eating away at their delicate tooth enamel. After years of drinking soda, many teens have serious dental problems and are forced to seek major treatment at affordable family dentistry practices. Since it’s unlikely that teens will completely stop sipping, pediatric dentists recommend that they try to reduce the amount they drink, sip through a straw to curb contact with teeth and rinse with water after drinking.

Use a Mouth Guard in Sports

Teens tend to play contact sports, but may not be aware that they’re playing with fire since contact sports can cause injuries to the teeth, mouth, and jaw. But athletic teens can shield their smiles by getting a mouth guard to wear during sports. Teens can get these with little cost or effort at an affordable family dentistry practice. But teens must remember to care for these guards by rinsing them often and storing them properly.

Avoid Oral Piercings

Regardless of its pain and problems, tongue piercing is a top teen trend. These piercings can cause teens to chip their teeth while eating, talking, and sleeping. When these chips become full-blown fractures, pediatric dentists often will need to perform a root canal or remove the damaged tooth. The most common complaint is infections, which can cause the tongue to get badly swollen and lead to diseases like hepatitis. That’s why pediatric dentists strongly warn against pursuing these piercings.

Develop Healthy Dental Habits

Teenagers live on fast food and energy bars, so they don’t always get proper nutrition. Busy teens may have a lot to do, but they also have a lot to lose by not eating a well-balanced diet. In addition to harming their overall health, the habits can hurt their dental health. But rather than let bad foods eat away at their teeth, teens need to develop good habits:

• Have healthy snacks on hand, like fruits, veggies, and low-fat cheeses.
• Keep a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste in a backpack, locker, or handbag so it’s convenient to brush after meals and snacks.
• Chew sugar-free gum after eating to help clean the mouth.
• Sip water all day long to rinse away bacteria and food debris.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Flint, call Family Dental Group today at (810) 515-8952 or make an appointment.

Family Dental Group offers affordable family dentistry and gentle, compassionate dental care in Flint. With 4 affiliated practices throughout Flint, our offices are conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At Family Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at Family Dental Group.