Oral Health Basics for Teens
If you are a teenager, you know that your mouth is a very important
part of your body. In fact, you probably think about and look at
your mouth more than you realize. It is not only the opening for
putting lots of food in but also it is the smile that you flash
to friends and potential mates! So, you want it to be healthy and
clean.
Since your smile is likely the first thing people see when they
look at you, it is good to know how to maintain it. Your teeth,
tongue and lips also help you chew, digest food and talk. Imagine
how you would talk and look without teeth.
A proper diet with plenty of healthy
choices is the best way to keep your oral tissues healthy. Drinking
plenty of water and brushing
and flossing
after eating will keep your teeth strong, cavity-free and beautiful.
Your breath
will be fresher, too... and that is very important to your social
life.
There are some conditions of the mouth that you should
know about:
Canker sores (apthous ulcers) often occur in the
adolescent and teenage years. No one really knows why but often
stress, dietary issues, hormones, and allergies can cause a breakout.
They can be very painful and last between 1 and 3 weeks. Over the
counter numbing gels and rinses can help with the pain when you
eat. Ask your dental
hygienist for advice the next time you go for your dental cleaning
or check-up.
Oral herpes or cold sores (Herpetic Stomatitis)
can be a breakout of painful, clustered blisters in the mouth or
on the lips. Often, oral herpes can be transferred to you by kissing
someone with an active herpes virus. Try to avoid sharing drinks
or eating utensils with someone with a herpetic lesion. If you have
a problem with oral herpes, be considerate of your friends and family
and be aware of how easy it is to pass it on.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums (gingival)
and appears as red, swollen and sometimes bleeding gum tissue. It
is usually caused by the bacteria found in plaque and tartar, which
collect on the teeth if you do not brush and floss often enough
or properly
Periodontal Disease is a progression from gingivitis
that has not been treated and where pockets form between the gums
and the teeth that harbour harmful bacteria. If left untreated,
this can lead to bone damage around the root of the tooth and cause
the tooth to become loose and eventually be lost.
Tooth Decay occurs when bacteria collects in food
and plaque that is left on the teeth. It feeds on the sugars and
starches and produces an acidic waste product. This acidic substance,
if not removed, will break down the hard dental enamel that protects
our teeth, causing a lesion in the tooth called a cavity. If this
cavity is not repaired when it is small, it can grow unnoticed until
the nerve in the tooth is affected and the tooth could die. The
only way to save a tooth that is damaged like this is with a root
canal treatment where the live nerve is removed from the tooth to
eliminate pain.
Oral Piercing
can do serious and irreversible damage to tissues in your mouth
and to your teeth. Be well informed of the dangers before taking
this risky step. Ask your oral health care professional if you have
concerns.
Wisdom teeth start to grow into the mouth in the
mid to late teens but often there is not enough room and they remain
stuck (impacted) in the jaw. If you experience discomfort or pain
in the area at the end of your rows of teeth, you should contact
your dentist for an x-ray and possible removal (extraction)
Taking good care of your mouth as a
teen, will help set you up for a lifetime of happy, healthy and
beautiful smiles!
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