Reviewed by Dr. Alan Baughman, DMD, MBA
Reading time: five minutes.
Teens have a lot on their plate, from school and extracurricular activities to work and household chores. Keeping up with their oral hygiene routine may not be their top priority.
At Clearwater Dentistry, we’re here to make sure your teen’s smile stays healthy! In this blog, we talk about the importance of oral hygiene and offer some tips to help your teen prioritize it.
Key Takeaway
Schedule regular cleanings and check-ups to ensure your teen’s oral health is in good shape. Our comprehensive dental services—from routine cleanings to emergency care—will ensure your teen maintains a healthy, vibrant smile
Comprehensive Dental Services for Teens
At Clearwater Dentistry, we offer a range of dental services tailored specifically for teens. Whether they need orthodontic treatment or help with tooth decay, we’ve got it covered.
Routine Cleanings and Exams
Regular dental check-ups are important during the teen years, especially between the ages of 12-19, when the risk for tooth decay and gum disease is higher. Our team of dental professionals performs thorough cleanings and exams to catch any potential issues early.
- Regular cleanings help prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to gum disease and cavities.
- Dental exams help us monitor the growth of adult teeth and identify problems like impacted wisdom teeth before they become painful.
| 💡 Did you know? 57% of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years have had dental caries in their permanent teeth! |
Orthodontics and Orthodontic Appliances
Straight teeth improve a teen’s confidence and also make oral hygiene practices easier. If your teen needs orthodontic treatment, we offer Sure Smile Clear Aligners.
Orthodontic appliances help straighten teeth and correct bites, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum recession in the long term.
Emergency Care
Active teens are prone to accidents, especially if they play sports. Whether it’s a broken tooth or a knocked-out permanent tooth, we can help you deal with dental emergencies.
To prevent dental accidents, we recommend using a mouthguard during physical activities to protect their permanent teeth. We make custom dental retainers, night guards and athletic mouthguards.
The Importance of Regular Visits
If you want your teen to have healthy teeth well into adulthood, regular visits to the dentist are a must. Teens often consume sugary foods, soft drinks, and in recent years vaping has become a popular thing, all of which can negatively impact their oral health.
- Sugary drinks and foods increase the risk of tooth decay.
- Energy drinks and fruit juices are especially high in sugar and acids can lead to enamel erosion.
- Tobacco products and vaping are linked to oral health issues like dry mouth, gum disease, and even oral cancer.
By coming in for regular dental check-ups, we can spot any problems early and guide your teen in the right direction with their oral hygiene habits.
Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
You can encourage your teen to take charge of their oral hygiene with some simple, practical steps:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste using either a manual or electric toothbrush.
- Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth. Proper flossing technique is important so make sure they know how to do it correctly!
- Rinse mouth with water after consuming sugary or acidic foods to minimize damage.
- Encourage healthy foods over sugary snacks to protect their teeth and gums.
- Limit consumption of soft drinks and replace them with water when possible.
Clearwater Dentistry’s Approach
At Clearwater Dentistry, we take a personalized approach to every patient. For teens, we understand the balance between independence and responsibility, so we educate them on their specific oral health risks in a way that makes sense to them. We also work with you as a parent to provide any additional support needed, especially if your teen has special health care needs.
Dental Services at Clearwater Dentistry
Our dental office in Greeley is equipped to help your whole family with their dental needs. Here is a list of the services we offer:
- Porcelain crowns, veneers, and bridges
- Cosmetic dental bonding
- Dental implants and bone grafts
- Dentures and implant-supported dentures
- Emergency dentistry
- Dental exams and teeth cleaning
- Dental retainers, night guards, and mouthguards
- Root canal treatment
- Sleep apnea treatment
- Clear aligner therapy with SureSmile
- Teeth whitening
- Tooth extractions
- Composite dental fillings
Schedule a Dental Visit for Your Teen in Greeley, CO, Today!
Taking care of your teen’s dental health now will set them up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Whether it’s navigating orthodontic treatment or dealing with wisdom teeth, Clearwater Dentistry in Greeley is here to support you every step of the way.
Book your teen’s dental appointment with us today and let’s work together to keep their smile in great shape. Call (970) 515 3550 to schedule an appointment or complete the online inquiry form!
FAQs
Persistent bad breath could be a sign of gum disease or even dry mouth. If brushing and flossing are not helping, it might be time to schedule a dental exam to check for underlying issues like oral infections.
Teeth can still appear yellow due to stains from sugary foods, acidic drinks, or even energy drinks. Using an electric toothbrush and cutting back on sugary drinks can help brighten your smile. To learn more, check our blog post: Why Are My Teeth Yellow When I Brush Them Every Day?
Vaping can dry out the mouth and lead to gum recession, making you more vulnerable to tooth decay and oral infections. It can also increase your risk of oral cancer.
Yes, tongue piercings can chip or crack teeth, especially if you play with the piercing against your teeth. They can also lead to gum recession or oral infections if not properly cared for.
