If you are the parent of a teen, you may already have some concerns about your child’s well-being. As young men and women progress toward complete independence, some make questionable choices when it comes to health.
You may know Wakefield teens that skip meals and others that eat ramen noodles for lunch and dinner. Some teenagers spend more hours on Instagram than sleeping. Braces can hinder proper brushing. Eating disorders such as bulimia can quickly erode enamel and hurt a smile.
Dental troubles manifesting in the adolescent years can influence teeth for life. Let’s explore some important dental issues for adolescents.
Wisdom Teeth
The third molars usually come in between late adolescence and the mid-twenties. Common wisdom teeth problems include bite misalignment, decay, gum disease, and damage to the nearby teeth. It is vital to monitor wisdom teeth and follow the counsel of your dentist.
Eating Disorders
Parents who notice their adolescent abnormally preoccupied with body image and weight loss should be on the lookout for bulimia and anorexia. These serious disorders should not be ignored. Parents are advised to seek treatment immediately if they discover that their teen is binging and purging or intentionally restricting food.
Oral Health and Orthodontia
Braces can make proper brushing challenging. Toothbrushes and flossing devices that squirt water can help teenagers with braces clean their teeth and gums.
Sugar-Heavy Diet
If you visit any Massachusetts high school during lunch hour, you will see that sugar-laden soda, juice, and energy drinks are becoming a beverage staple. (Perhaps we adults are setting a bad example.) While juice is definitely the healthiest choice of the three, heavy juice consumption can damage enamel just as effectively as a can of Coke. Water is the best drink for teeth as well as calcium-rich milk, which leads us to our next section.
Inadequate Calcium Intake
Some adolescents who drank milk daily as kids curtail their consumption when they start eating meals away from home. This is unfortunate because calcium is just as crucial for youth as it is for younger children. For strong teeth and bones, encourage your teen to enjoy low-fat dairy products daily.
Sports Injuries
Athletics benefit youth in a number of ways but, unfortunately, also pose a threat to teeth. Make sure your teen wears a protective custom mouthguard when participating in any activity where a mouth injury can occur.
We encourage Wakefield parents to be vigilant about twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings for their teens. Many oral troubles arise unnoticed. To schedule a comprehensive examination and cleaning, call Future of Dentistry.
Contact Future of Dentistry:
Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):
Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-663-4303Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-957-1811Future of Dentistry – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-685-8313Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299Future of Dentistry – Chelmsford
3 Courthouse Ln
Chelmsford, MA 01824
978-970-2089