Dental Care Tips and Treatments for Teens
The teenage years can be tough, especially for teens that feel insecure about their smiles. Drs. Charles and Patrick Casey offer a variety of dental treatments to improve oral health and dental aesthetics for teenage patients. Orthodontic treatment is popular among teens because these procedures can correct alignment and improve the smile's overall appearance. Learn more about these treatments, along with dental care tips for teens, in this overview from the team at Smile Montreal.
Dental Care Tips for Teens
Proper dental care is vital to oral health at every age. Proper dental care is particularly important during the teen years, when patients take on the responsibility of maintaining their oral hygiene habits. Establishing good habits early, like brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, is key to ensuring that teens continue to properly care for their teeth. Teens can help maintain and improve their oral health with these tips.
- Brush thoroughly, twice a day: Brushing the teeth removes harmful plaque and bacteria, which can lead to tooth decay. Teens should brush at least twice a day, and for a full two minutes each time, to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
- Floss everyday: It's common for teens (and adults) to skip flossing. Flossing is just as important to oral health as brushing the teeth. Flossing should be done at least once a day. Flossing reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay along the gum line and between the teeth by removing plaque and food remnants that brushing alone can't reach.
- See your dentist for regular exams and cleanings: Regular dental exams and cleanings are important for catching oral health issues early, as well as for preventing problems to begin with. Dental exams and professional cleanings should be performed at least once every six months.
- Limit sugary, acidic foods and drinks: Many teens consume multiple sugary, acidic sodas a day, which can increase the rate of tooth enamel erosion, leading to tooth decay. Teens should limit their intake of sugary and acidic foods to reduce the risk of tooth erosion and decay.
- Protect the teeth from sports-related injuries: Sports-related injuries are another common problem for teens, specifically those who play contact sports. Wearing a mouth guard while playing can reduce the risk of sports-related dental injuries.
Popular Dental Treatments for Teens
Teens may require dental treatments to repair damage or improve the smile's appearance. When repairing dental damage, we take aesthetics into account. Popular dental treatments for teens include:
- Tooth-colored fillings: Teens who develop dental cavities can enjoy a restored smile with tooth-colored fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are customized to blend with the surrounding teeth for an unnoticeable finish.
- Orthodontics: Teens with misaligned teeth or malocclusion, also called a “bad bite,” may benefit from orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics can improve the overall appearance of the smile while also improving dental function.
- Porcelain crowns: Dental injury or severe tooth decay can leave teens with major dental damage. Porcelain crowns are tooth-shaped restorations that encase damaged teeth to restore appearance, dental strength, and function.
Schedule a Consultation
For more information about dental care for teens, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with Drs. Charles and Patrick Casey.