Dental Care for Adolescents

~ kidstoothhotline

In the Know for You to Know

What does a healthy mouth mean to you?

Is it a bright smile and fresh breath? OR

Does it mean you can talk and laugh with confidence?

Facts and tips on keeping a healthy smile

What you need to know about your own dental health —

FACT 1: You have not outgrown cavities. Cavities are more of a problem now.

FACT 2: Swollen and inflamed gums (gingivitis) is not the only risk to your oral health. It is also a threat to your appearance. Gingivitis causes red, swollen, painful bleeding gums and bad breath.

FACT 3: You are still growing. Your face and jaws are still changing. Even though you think you have all your permanent teeth, your wisdom teeth are going to start to come in. Being healthy and attractive during this time is as easy as taking good care of your teeth and visiting your Pediatric Dentist every 6 months.

How you can keep a healthy smile

Eat intelligently. Life is more hectic now with school, sports, studying, a job, new responsibilities. If you have to eat on the run choose fresh fruits and vegetables instead of junk food.

Snack smartly. Be careful of snack foods since they contain a lot of sugar and cause cavities. So read the labels.

Brush your teeth for 2 minutes 2x’s a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss before brushing every night to help prevent gingivitis and cavities on the sides of you teeth.

Keep up with your dental checkups. Tooth cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants are important for you.

Do not smoke, vape, or chew tobacco! The warnings you hear and see are true. Smoking, vaping, using any form of tobacco doesn’t only cause heart and lung problems. They cause mouth and throat cancer. Noticing any changes in your mouth? Call your Pediatrician or Pediatric Dentist now!

Wear a mouth guard for any sports or activities where your mouth can get hit.

Buckle up in the car. Doesn’t matter if you’re the driver or passenger. A seat belt with a shoulder harness can keep your face from striking the steering wheel, the dashboard, or windshield during an accident.

Your dental health and appearance are as important to your Pediatric Dentist as they are to you and your parents.

Let your Pediatric Dentist keep your smile healthy and sparkling.

More Tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

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Published by kidstoothhotline

As a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist with over ten years of experience practicing Pediatric Dentistry, I understand that parents and caregivers are in need for information to care for their children's oral health. You may not have your normal lines of communication open or you cannot easily call or visit your child’s Dentist and obtain answers to your questions. Some families may not yet have a Pediatric Dentist to call. My expertise and knowledge can help serve as your source as I provide answers with information that is current, informative and the Gold Standards of Care which are the practice Guidelines approved by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. I want to help you access this important information by answering your questions through this site. You may want to submit your own individual questions or you can view my postings and answers to other families questions that may apply to your child's needs. I am committed to helping you stay informed, after all it is all about your child.