The best way for teens to enjoy a nice smile and healthy teeth is to continue the good oral habits started early in childhood. Whether or not you wear braces or other orthodontic treatment, it is important to:
- Brush twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline. If plaque is not removed daily, it can harden into tartar —an unsightly, hard yellow build-up.
- Limit sugary or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks.
- Visit Johnson Family Dental in Paduah regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.
In addition to helping teeth last a lifetime, a clean mouth simply makes you feel good. It also gives you fresher breath and a nicer looking smile.
What Special Dental Issues Should a Teenager Know About?
Dental problems can and do occur during the teen years. Becoming better informed about issues that effect oral health can make it easier to make the best decisions.
Orthodontics — many pre-teens and teens require braces to fix crowded or crooked teeth and poor jaw alignment. Teeth that do not fit together correctly are harder to keep clean, stand a better chance of being lost early, and cause extra stress on the chewing muscles. An orthodontic evaluation will determine if you need braces, and what type of treatment is right for you. If you wear braces, extra care should be taken to properly clean your teeth.
Regularly scheduled dental visits is a major step in protecting your teens teeth and in determining the need for orthodontics. At Johnson Family Dental, we will take periodic dental xrays to see where your teeth are in the normal development process and access the need for orthodontics.
At Johnson Family Dental in Paducah we want to help you have a happy, healthy smile for a lifetime. For more information or to schedule and appointment, gve us a call at (270) 554-2432. Stop by our office at 23913 Lone Oak Rd, Paducah, KY or CLICK HERE to contact us today!