If you are the parent of a teen, you may already have some concerns about your child’s well-being. As young men and women progress toward complete independence, some make questionable choices when it comes to health. Hereford Dental Health understands these challenges and is here to help guide you and your teen toward better dental health practices.
You may know Monkton teens who skip meals and others who eat ramen noodles for lunch and dinner. Some youth spend more hours on Instagram than sleeping. Braces can hinder proper brushing. Eating disorders such as bulimia can quickly erode enamel and damage a smile.
Dental problems manifesting in the adolescent years can influence teeth for life. Let’s look at some essential dental issues for adolescents.
Wisdom Teeth
The third molars usually erupt between late adolescence and the mid-twenties. Common wisdom teeth troubles include bite misalignment, tooth decay, gum disease, and damage to the nearby teeth. It is critical to monitor wisdom teeth and follow the advice of your dentist.
Eating Disorders
Parents who notice their teen abnormally preoccupied with body image and weight loss should be on the lookout for bulimia and anorexia. These serious disorders should not be ignored. Parents are advised to seek treatment immediately if they discover that their teen is binging and purging or intentionally restricting food.
Oral Health and Orthodontia
Traditional braces can make proper brushing difficult. Toothbrushes and water flossers can help youth with braces clean their teeth and gums. You can also talk with us about Invisalign clear braces.
Sugar-Heavy Diet
If you visit any Maryland high school during lunch hour, you will see that sugar-laden soda, juice, and energy drinks are becoming a beverage staple. (Perhaps we adults are setting a bad example.) While juice is the healthiest choice of the three, heavy juice consumption can hurt enamel just as effectively as a can of Coke. Water is the best drink for teeth as well as calcium-rich milk, which leads us to our next section.
Inadequate Calcium Intake
Some teenagers who drank milk daily as kids curtail their consumption when they start eating meals away from home. This is unfortunate because calcium is just as vital for adolescents as it is for younger children. For strong teeth and bones, encourage your teen to enjoy low-fat dairy products daily.
Sports Injuries
Athletics benefit teenagers in a number of ways but, unfortunately, also pose a threat to teeth. Make sure your teen wears a protective custom mouthguard when participating in any activity where a mouth injury can occur.
We encourage Monkton parents to be vigilant about twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings for their teens. Many oral problems develop unnoticed. To schedule an intensive examination and cleaning, call Hereford Dental Health – Craig Longenecker DDS.
Contact Hereford Dental Health – Craig Longenecker DDS:
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
16928 York Rd
Monkton, Maryland
21111
