Teenagers are still growing up and there are sure dental issues they will come across. Whether you are a teenager yourself, or a parent, there are certain dental habits for teenagers that should be followed. This ensures better teeth and an easier time growing up.

So what are the 5 dental habits for teenagers we recommend?

1. Brush your Teeth Twice

If you have not picked this as a habit from your childhood, you should do so at least when you’re a teenager. Brushing your teeth twice a day is simply the best way to prevent cavities or other issues from affecting your dental health. Brush once in the morning and once before you go to bed.

Not convinced that brushing your teeth is good for you? This is a topic we’ve covered previously: Why is brushing your teeth important?

2. Lay off the Carbonated Drinks

How often do you have carbonate drinks? Carbonated drinks are essentially soft drinks such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola. Do you grab a carbonated drink when you’re thirsty or you want to drink something cold?

Carbonated drinks are filled with sugar. How much sugar?

Sugar is one of the biggest causes for bacteria. The sugary drink sticks to your teeth and the sugar encourages bacterial growth – which eventually turns into a cavity.

3. Wear a Mouthguard

Sports is probably a regular aspect of your life. Once you cross the age of 10, your teeth are permanent. If they are damaged, you won’t grow new ones. Wearing a mouth guard protects your teeth at all times. It is especially a must if the sport you play involves any rough contact such as ice hockey or basketball.

4. Avoid Tobacco

Apart from the obvious dangers of tobacco, such as cancer, tobacco negatively impacts your teeth directly.

• Tobacco discolors your teeth, giving it a yellow-brownish shade.

• Tobacco smoke dries your mouth, removing moisture and encouraging the growth of bacteria

• It causes bad breath

It is simply advisable to avoid smoking tobacco because of these issues.

5. Regular Dental Checkups

Yearly dental checkups is a must. Visiting the dentist at least once a year ensures that your dental health is top-notch and there aren’t any dental problems. The dentist will examine your teeth carefully and identify any issues such as cavities.

Follow these 5 dental habits for teenagers to ensure that you are taking care of your teeth in the best manner possible. An additional tip is if you are piercing your lip or mouth, do so in consultation with your dentist so that your dental health isn’t affected.

If you wish to book an appointment with Downtown Dental, you can leave your details in our Contact Us form and we will reach out to you.