5 tips to help teenagers avoid tooth decay

Teenagers: it’s hard being one and it’s hard being the parent of one. Yes, the teenage years can be tough. There’s puberty, mood swings, peer pressure and exams to deal with for a start, as well as something else you wouldn’t normally think of: tooth decay.

Tooth decay is a very common problem in teenagers. According to an Independent article, 46% of 15-year-olds have obvious tooth decay. The main causes are sugar and not visiting the dentist enough.

There is some good news, however: it’s not difficult to look after your teeth. And in this blog post, we’ll go through five ways teenagers can do this.

1. Brushing

Everyone needs to brush their teeth twice a day and teenagers are no exception. Brushing is the number one thing you can do to take care of your teeth.

It’s best to brush once at night before going to bed and once again on one other occasion. What’s more, the toothpaste should contain fluoride at 1,350 ppm or above.

2. Mouthwash

Mouthwash is a good way to help prevent cavities and other oral health problems. By using it just once per day, teenagers can reduce their risk of oral disease.

Younger children shouldn’t be given mouthwash as they might swallow it, but of course, teenagers can be trusted not to do this (you’d hope).

3. Avoid sugar

Sugar is the leading cause of tooth and gum disease in the UK. It’s safe to say that if we all ate less sugar, there would be a lot fewer cavities.

Unfortunately, teenagers in the UK tend to eat a lot of sugar. One of the main sources is sugary drinks, like Coca Cola and Pepsi. In fact, 14% of 15-year-olds consume sugary drinks at least four times a day.

The best diet for teens is low in sugar. Ideally, for example, teenagers should drink water instead of cola, and limit sugary treats to desserts.

4. Avoid alcohol

Drinking alcohol is seen as something teenagers are expected to do as part of growing up. The first time people drink alcohol is usually in their teenage years, and many teenagers routinely drink every week.

However, alcohol can have serious effects on health, including their oral health. Here are some of the problems with alcohol:

  • Sugar. Some alcoholic drinks (like alcopops and cider) are high in sugar and this can contribute to cavities.
  • Acidity. Some alcoholic drinks are acidic, which can cause decay or dental erosion if you drink them often and in large amounts.
  • Dehydration. Alcohol dehydrates the mouth, which encourages bacteria to grow.

So while we understand that teenagers want to experiment with alcohol, it’s also important to take care of your teeth.

5. Dental check-ups

Teenagers should see the dentist regularly – every six months is a good general rule. Some teens will need more or fewer appointments, depending on the health of their teeth.

If you’re a teenager or a parent of one, and you’d like a dentist appointment, then look no further than Willows Dentistry. We have a lot of experience with adolescents and we would love to meet you. Give us a call on 01432 274749 to make an appointment.

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