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Teenagers’ Dental Care at Shipston Dental Practice
Keeping Your Teen’s Teeth Healthy During the Secondary School Years
As your child enters their teenage years, their teeth become particularly vulnerable to changes in their diet, routines, and attitude towards oral hygiene. The teenage years are crucial for maintaining good dental health, and at Shipston Dental Practice, we’re here to guide your teen through this important phase.
Preventing Tooth Decay in Teens
Dental diseases are preventable – the earlier you act, the fewer problems your child will face later on. Here are some essential tips for keeping your teenager’s teeth healthy:
1. Diet: Choose Teeth-Friendly Snacks
Teens are growing and often feel constantly hungry. However, grazing on sugary foods and drinks throughout the day can lead to tooth decay. Help your teen maintain a healthy smile by encouraging them to make better food choices:
- Snack on fresh fruit, nuts, cheese, and whole-grain bread.
- Drink water, milk, or unsweetened tea between meals.
- Save sweets, biscuits, juice, and fizzy drinks for mealtimes only.
- Drink only water at night to avoid sugary residue.
- Chew sugar-free gum after sweet snacks to help neutralise acids.
2. Tooth Brushing: A Key Habit for Teens
Encourage your teen to brush their teeth properly, using the following guidelines to ensure effective brushing:
- Brush for two minutes, twice a day. Using a timer or an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer can make this easier.
- Use an adult fluoride toothpaste to protect against decay.
- After brushing, spit out but don’t rinse to keep fluoride on the teeth.
- To stay motivated, check out BrushDJ, a fun app that plays music while your teen brushes!
3. Avoiding Trauma to Teeth
Many teens play sports like hockey or rugby, which increases the risk of dental trauma. A mouthguard is essential to protect their teeth, even if it’s not the most "cool" accessory. Help your teen choose a mouthguard in fun or team colours, and ensure it fits properly before each season.
- Always ensure your teen wears a mouthguard during sports to prevent damage to their teeth.
- If teeth do get knocked, contact your dentist right away for advice and treatment.
Regular Dental Check-ups for Teens
Teens need regular check-ups to ensure their teeth are developing properly, and that they’re maintaining good oral health habits. At Shipston Dental Practice, we provide:
- Thorough examinations to monitor any changes in tooth alignment.
- Advice on maintaining braces and preventing cavities.
- Ongoing guidance on oral hygiene and preventive care.
Ready to Start Your Teen’s Dental Care Journey?
Ensure your teen’s smile stays healthy and bright by booking an orthodontic consultation today. Whether you’re interested in mouthguards or advice on maintaining strong, healthy teeth, Shipston Dental Practice is here to help your teen achieve their best smile.
Accidents happen! Learn what to do in case of dental trauma. Save your tooth with these essential first aid steps and contact Shipston Dental Practice for expert care.
Protect your mouth during contact sports with custom-made mouth guards from Shipston Dental Practice. High-quality, comfortable, and durable protection for rugby, boxing, hockey & more.