Dr. Curt Ralstrom reminds us that “Just because your teen is gaining new skills and responsibilities, their teeth and jaws are still growing and developing and they still need reminders about diet and oral care.” It just so happens that this time of increased autonomy and responsibility for our children gives them more freedom to make diet choices on their own and occasionally teenagers over-choose soda and sugary foods. If foods that are high in carbohydrates begin to take the place of those healthy foods we served them at home, such as milk, fruits, and vegetables, our teenagers may become more prone to tooth decay and gum tissue problems.
This time when a parent has less control over their child’s diet as they attend school, parties, and sporting events, and are subject to peer influences can also coincide with orthodontic treatment and lead to those dreaded white spots on the teeth if the diet becomes too sugary. However, this is also a time when they should be aware of how healthy foods affect their overall and oral health.
Let your teen know that maintaining healthy teeth can be as simple as a following a healthy diet, brushing and flossing regularly, and seeing your dentist for those regular six-month appointments. A beautiful smile is very important to most everyone but can be especially important to a teeth as it builds self-confidence and helps them to feel good about themselves. Let them know that certain foods can cause cavities, such as sugary gum, juices, and sodas as well as those foods that are high in sugar. It’s also a good idea to resist too much snacking.
If they are looking for healthier options, let them know that fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean proteins are always a good way to go. In addition, be sure to encourage them to get into the habit of flossing EVERY day and brushing at least twice a day for two minutes. Giving your children a gentle reminder to make brushing and flossing part of their busy routine is always a great idea, even if you get the occasional eye roll.
Also, being sure that they don’t miss those six-month dental checkups is very important too. Our pediatric dentists will also serve as an authority on oral hygiene and be a different source of oral hygiene reminders that may become stale coming from parents at home.
The pediatric dentist can also catch beginning cavities early, and it may be as easy as sealing a tooth to prevent it from progressing. This resin coating the dentist puts on the biting surface of the tooth can block bacteria and sugars from getting into hard to clean crevices on the teeth. For more information about your teen and his or her teeth, please feel free to talk to any of the pediatric dentists or orthodontists in our office.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Providence Health System when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
