Raising teenagers has its own set of challenges. One of the challenges with raising teenagers is promoting healthy dental habits in them. Teenagers are busy with school and friends and forget to care for their dental health which can have severe consequences in the long run.
However, parents and others need to instill good dental practices in adolescents that would bring them a confident smile. But you might be struggling with- How?
Consequently, here are some tips using which you can make teenagers adopt healthy dental habits and have a confident smile.
Healthy Dental Habits Teenager Should Adopt
Emphasise brushing and flossing
Teenagers do know how important it is to brush and floss their teeth but they might not clean their teeth thoroughly due to their busy schedule or any other reason. Missing brushing or flossing or not doing it properly might not seem a big deal to them but can have adverse consequences in the future.
The best way forward would be to emphasise to them the importance of fresh breath and an attractive smile so that they do not end up missing these.
Hydration is the key
The next healthy habit to inculcate in teenagers is to make themselves stay hydrated throughout the day. Teenagers need to rethink what they are drinking. Teenagers drinking energy drinks often do not realise how much enamel loss is caused due to it.
Likewise, coffee is also not a good option for teenagers. Ask teenagers to limit the consumption of these beverages and increase their water intake to keep their teeth in excellent condition.
Snack choices
Nearly everyone knows how much teenagers love snacking. But not every snack is good for their dental health. Intake of excessive sugar snacks can lead to tooth decay and can cause cavities. Consuming chips can lead to plaque buildup.
The best way forward to deal with this would be to stock your fridge with healthy snack options such as fresh fruits and veggies. These will not only improve teenagers’ oral health but also clear away dirt and debris.
Some snack options for teenagers include cheese, yoghurt, nuts, seeds, raw vegetables such as celery, and carrot, and fresh fruits such as apples and strawberries.
Avoid skipping dental exams
Another tip to improve the dental habits of teenagers and make them have a confident smile is preventing them from skipping dental exams. No matter how busy schedules are, teenagers should never miss a dental appointment.
The research conducted on this reveals that teenagers should visit the dentist every six months to get routine cleaning and examinations.
Doing so will enable the dentists to have an eye on the dental issues and take the desired action before they turn severe.
Deal with orthodontics positively
Check if your teen needs braces or other orthodontic treatments to have a confident smile. If yes, then encourage them by sharing the success stories and telling them how these treatments have become efficient due to the advanced dental technology in improving the appearance.
Provide right tools
Try to give quality dental care products to teenagers that appeal to them. The dental care process can seem more engaging when you give them the electric toothbrush, flavoured floss, and mouthwash targeting teenagers’ concerns.
Make oral health relevant
You can also explain the significance of oral health to teenagers by connecting it to the life aspects that matter to them such as appearance, social circle, and avoiding bad breath. Make them understand how putting up a confident and healthy smile can make a significant difference in their daily interactions and first impressions.
Wrapping Up
Abiding by the above-mentioned tips and tricks will help you to develop healthy dental habits among teenagers. Also, take teenagers to the children’s dentist in Berwick for regular dental examinations to identify if teenagers have dental issues before they turn severe. Search for the kids dentist near me to find the best dentist.