The teenage years can be a whirlwind of change, especially when it comes to dental health. Hormones impact not only mood but also oral health, leading to potential issues like gum inflammation and cavities. Needless to say, maintaining a solid dental routine is essential for teens during this pivotal time.
But first, let’s understand the role teenage hormones play in dental health.
Sensitive Gums and Hormones:
During puberty, gums are most sensitive because of the high levels of estrogen and testosterone, increasing blood flow to the gums. There is a common condition that teens develop called “puberty gingivitis,” which causes redness, bleeding and swelling often when brushing their teeth. During this time, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing every day. However, take a trip to the dentist to be more thorough.
Regular Visits to Orthodontics:
Teen teeth are most likely to go through orthodontic treatments. This includes fixing any misalignment or crowding with the help of braces and other methods. These treatments are very helpful, but they do require a lot more care since the equipment, such as braces and aligners, is very hard to clean.
So, protect your teens from mouth bacteria or poor oral hygiene. Get them special floss threads and brushes which are designed for cleaning brackets and wires. Also, ensure regular visits to the dentist for the treatment to go smoothly.
Teen Diet Changes:
Changing hormones increases cravings, as we can all relate. Healthy homemade food doesn’t look that appealing compared to sugary candies, chocolates, chips and sodas. While they are very tasty, excessive consumption of these can lead to enamel erosion and cavities. Teen teeth may face a little setback in oral hygiene at times—mostly because dental issues tend to take a backseat in the chaos that is teenage. So, it’s important to keep reminding your teenagers how important dental care is, along with a balanced diet and adequate water intake.
During these fundamental years of life, it’s important to instill good habits in your kids so they can carry on with their joyful years ahead, staying healthy. Hormones do make it hard, but it’s nothing our team can’t tackle. At Advanced Dental Care, our family dentists in Germantown are well-equipped to take care of your teen teeth in the best way possible. Contact us now to learn more.
