Enjoy a Healthy Smile with Dental Care for Teens By Dr. Silvers on March 30, 2016

When it comes to teen oral health, prevention is key. General dentistry treatments, combined with good oral hygiene habits, are essential to teen dental care, reducing the risk of oral health problems and allowing teens to enjoy the confidence of a beautiful, healthy smile. Discover the importance of proper dental care for teens in this overview from Harrisburg, PA dentists Warren D. Silvers, Sr and Warren D. Silvers III.

Dental Treatments for Teens

Preventing dental damage and protecting oral health is a priority when it comes to teen dental care. Treating signs of damage early in teen patients can help prevent issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, from becoming severe and leading to bigger problems, like tooth loss. Thankfully, there are a variety of restorative and general dentistry treatments that can be tailored to address the unique needs of teen patients, including:

General exams and cleanings: General exams and professional cleanings are essential for preventing dental damage and detecting oral health issues at the earliest, most easily treatable stages. Teens should undergo general dental exams and cleanings every six months to protect their smile's health and appearance.
Tooth-colored fillings: Unfortunately, dental cavities are not terribly uncommon amongst teens. Fortunately, tooth-colored fillings offer a cosmetically pleasing solution for treating cavities and restoring oral health.
Dental crowns: A dental crown is a tooth-shaped restoration used to restore dental function and appearance by completely fitting over a damaged tooth. Sports-related dental injuries or severe decay can often be treated with dental crowns.
Invisalign®: Teens with uneven, misaligned teeth may be good candidates for Invisalign® treatment. Invisalign® is a discreet orthodontic treatment that uses comfortable, clear dental trays to gradually reposition the teeth for a beautifully straight smile.
Traditional orthodontics: Traditional orthodontics, using metal braces, are highly effective at adjusting mild to severe alignment issues, making them a popular choice for many teen patients.

Dental Care Tips for Teen Smiles

A good dental care routine can help teens avoid many oral health problems, like tooth decay and gum disease. The following tips can help teens maintain the health and beauty of their smiles.

Brush twice a day: Teens can reduce their risk of tooth decay by brushing at least twice a day. When brushing, it's important to brush for a full two minutes to ensure effective cleaning.
Floss daily: Flossing is one of the most effective ways to prevent gum disease and should be done everyday, without fail. When flossing, teens should take time to floss along each side of each tooth and as far along the gum line as possible.
See your dentist every six months: Regular dental exams and cleanings should be scheduled every six months to catch any oral health problems early and ensure the teeth are free of the plaque and tartar build up that brushing at home can miss.
Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar and acid: Foods and drinks with high levels of sugar and acid increase the risk of enamel erosion and tooth decay. Teens should limit or avoid these foods and drinks altogether.
Wear a mouth guard when playing sports: Sports-related injuries can cause chipped teeth, fractures, or even tooth loss. Teens who play sports can help protect their smiles from injury by wearing a mouth guard while playing.
Use extra care when wearing braces: Teens with traditional metal braces need to practice special care to reduce the risk of tooth decay and staining around their braces. Teens with braces should brush after every meal and avoid certain foods, like crunchy, sticky foods, which can damage the braces.