Being a teenager is tough enough without having to stress over your teeth. It can seem that everyone is on your case, teachers, parents and now the dentist! Would you like some advice to get people of your back? Then look no further – here’s what you need to know:
Your teeth are with you now for the rest of your life so even though it’s a drag, it is kind of important that you pay them some attention at least twice a day. Teens lead busy lives with school, sports, social lives but all you need is 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes before you crash out at night. You’ll be getting nagged about all sorts of stuff but this is one small thing you can do to keep the parents happy. It’s also good to remember that a bright smile and fresh breath will make you much more attractive!
Eating well becomes a challenge when teens are on the go and making your own food choices much of the time. To prevent tooth decay, it is recommended that teens eat healthy snacks between meals and limit sugary foods and drinks. To avoid temptation ask your parents to stock the fridge with water, milk and easy-to-grab nutritious foods, such as fruit, cheese and veggies. Snacking on junk food and soft drinks whilst video gaming is what makes the world go round right? But just remember that you won’t be feeling like the MVP when you’re mouth is all numb from your latest filling or you’ve got terrible toothache!
Playing sports and participating in activities such as skateboarding or snowboarding put your teeth and jaw at risk of injury. Mouthguards protect teeth from breaking or getting knocked out. You should really think about wearing a mouthguard during sports. You need the best smile for your selfies!
If you’ve got piercings in and around your mouth, do you know the best way of looking after them? Be aware that broken teeth, choking on broken jewelry and swelling of the tongue and mouth can occur from this jewelry. If you want to look your best then keep the area clean or you could end up with a nasty infection. Teens must be vigilant about keeping the area clean and resisting the urge to click the jewelry against teeth.
Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are still important and while we appreciate you’ve got a ton of things you would rather be doing, trust me that having great teeth and a confident smile will make you feel a million dollars. Tooth decay can cause bad breath and I’m sure you know how grim that can be, so don’t let it happen to you. A trip to the hygienist can help prevent gum inflammation, bleeding and bad breath by removing plaque and tartar.
Even though nagging is seriously annoying, if it’s about looking after your teeth by brushing and flossing then it is important as your parents just want the best for you and don’t want to see you with painful problems later in life. I know adults always think they’re right but on this one – they are!
