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As children become teenagers, they are bombarded with busier schedules, heavier homework loads, and an increased desire for social interaction with peers. This can cause teens to begin to neglect other aspects of their lives, like dental and oral healthcare. And because parents begin to have less control of these habits for their children, this can result in dental disease for teens.
Tips for Helping Teens Care for Their Oral Health
While you may no longer have direct influence over the care of your teenager’s teeth and oral health, there are a few things you can do to encourage your teen to care for his or her teeth. These can include:
- Being aware of the food in your home – You can’t control what your teenager eats or drinks when they’re not at home. However, you can control the types of snacks you keep in your pantry. We recommend avoiding sugary items, sodas, and acidic foods.
- Keeping dental supplies on hand – If your teenager runs out of dental hygiene items in his or her bathroom, you may not be made aware for a while. Keep your child’s bathroom well-stocked with floss, mouthwash, toothpaste, and any other dental items.
- Making sure your child wears a mouth guard – If your teen is involved in sports, it’s important that he or she has a mouth guard to wear. Custom mouth guards will protect your teen’s mouth in the event of an accident during sports. Mouth guards can also decrease the risk that your teen suffers a concussion in the event of an accident.
- Visit the dentist every six months – Because teens are often so busy, it can be difficult to help them get to the dentist every six months. But continue to make dental appointments a priority and partner with them to make sure that appointments will work and are kept.
- Have an orthodontic consultation – Lastly, if your child hasn’t already been a candidate for orthodontic treatment, now might be a good time to check if braces should be an option. Our orthodontist can help give you the best options for your teenager’s individual circumstances.
Here at Garlock Orthodontics, we encourage you to make an orthodontic evaluation for your teenagers, adolescents, and kids over the age of 7. To schedule an appointment, please contact our Aurora, Colorado orthodontic office today.