Information for Teenagers

By maintaining good oral habits, teenagers will be able to avoid most dental treatments. We have set out the most common problems and issues affecting teenagers below.

 

Nutrition and Diet | Following a healthy diet is essential to maintaining your oral health. You should try and limit sugary or starchy foods and fizzy drinks as these support the formation of plaque which can destroy your tooth enamel. Try and eat a well-balanced diet, and for snacks, choose nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, fruit and cheese.

 

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Bad Breath | The main causes of bad breath are:

• not brushing your teeth properly - use a fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with a small head -( more information on how to brush your teeth)
• smoking
• strong smelling drink or food (e.g. garlic)

Sucking on a mint or chewing gum can make your bad breath worse as many mints contain a great deal of sugar. Instead of chewing a mint, either try brushing your teeth or chew some sugar-free gum to stimulate the saliva in your mouth which can fight the bacteria.

 

Visit the dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.

Straightening your teeth (Orthodontics) | We all want to have straight teeth - not only to enhance our smiles :) but also to prevent problems in the future arising from teeth which don't fit together properly. The best time to carry out treatment on crooked teeth is during your teens and we can carry out an orthodontic evaluation to determine whether you need to be fitted with braces or require other treatment.

 

Mouthguards | If you play contact sports, like rugby or hockey, then you can protect your teeth with a mouthguard. Contact us for a fitting.

 

Smoking | Smoking is bad news for your teeth but you probably knew that already. Smoking does the following to your mouth

• Causes bad breath
• Stains teeth
• Increases your risk of developing gum disease
• Increases your risk of developing oral cancer