When it comes to oral health, adolescence is a pivotal time for Daly City youth. On the upside, the last of the permanent teeth come in providing young men and women with their “adult smile.” Good habits can be forged and reinforced. Teeth can be aligned with orthodontia, providing increased confidence when it is often sorely needed.
On the downside, some adolescents take up habits that are detrimental to their teeth. Adolescents often don’t understand the importance of proper dental hygiene and how itimpacts lifelong oral health. Some young people develop teenage cavities that can cause recurring dental problems in later years.
Eating disorders are a common troubling problem among adolescents. Bulimia can cause enamel erosion, decay, and even complete tooth loss. We strongly recommend parents to intervene immediately and seek appropriate medical care if they suspect their teen has an eating disorder.
The importance of diet cannot be overstated. Adolescence is a time when many young San Francisco men and women decrease their calcium intake – a danger to both bones and teeth. The consumption of energy drinks and sugared soda also contribute to tooth and gum problems in teenagers.
In addition, youth that use tobacco and illegal drugs have an increased risk of tooth decay and oral cancer. Oral piercings can be extremely detrimental. The health risks include tooth and gum damage, infection, allergic reactions, nerve damage, and excessive swelling that can block airways.
Teens who are undergoing orthodontic treatment often have a difficult time correctly cleaning their teeth. It is a challenge to fit toothbrush bristles and floss under dental hardware. Toothbrushes and flossing devices that squirt water can help youth with braces adequately clean their teeth and gums.
Kenneth Hovden DDS advises California parents to make sure their adolescents receive twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings. Kenneth Hovden can identify and treat oral issues in their early stages so that further damage can be prevented or minimized.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following important guidelines for adolescent oral health:
Teens should drink fluoridated water.
Fluoride supplementation is recommended for high risk teens that don’t have access to fluoridated water (up to age 16).
Teens should use fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.
Teens should floss daily.1
To schedule an extensive teen dental examination and cleaning, call Kenneth Hovden DDS at 650-755-6000. The team of professional dental professionals at Kenneth Hovden DDS is committed to oral health for Daly City area patients of all ages.
1“Protecting All Children’s Teeth, Oral Health in Adolescence,” http://www2.aap.org/oralhealth/pact/, accessed September 17, 2014
Contact Kenneth Hovden DDS:
650-755-6000
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California
94015
