Do you remember the days when getting your toddler to let you brush their teeth was your biggest dental worry? Maybe you still shudder or laugh at the thought. Fast-forward, and your reluctant toddler is now a teen, and you have to deal with orthodontic appointments, wisdom teeth, and their possibly unfettered access to gas station food and candy. It’s a whole new world!
The teenage years bring exciting changes, but also new and distinct dental health challenges. At Norco Family Dental in Greeley, CO, we know that teens face oral health obstacles that require special care and understanding.
Key teen dental health challenges:
- Orthodontic treatment issues with braces and aligners
- Poor dietary habits from busy schedules, sugary food, and drinks
- Reduced parental supervision of daily dental routines
- Widsown teeth development
Common Teen Dental Challenges
Orthodontic Treatment: Many teens wear braces. And some struggle with them. Brackets and wires can definitely complicate daily oral hygiene. Food particles are easily trapped, raising the chances of cavities and gum disease for teens when they don’t clean around their braces properly. They may also deal with pain and discomfort as they adjust to wearing braces.
Dietary Habits: Your teen likely has a lot more freedom to eat what they want and buy food whenever they want it. They are also busy with school schedules, sports, and social events. These factors can lead to some pretty unfortunate food-related decision-making. Many teens live on energy drinks, soda, candy, and other highly processed foods.
Less Supervision: Teens want independence, a normal part of this stage of life. As parents stop supervising dental routines, some teenagers may skip brushing and flossing or rush through it. Stress about busy school schedules or friends may compound this issue.
Wisdom Teeth Development: Wisdom teeth generally appear during the late teen years. They can crowd other teeth, cause pain, and create alignment problems that need to be monitored by a dentist.
Practical Solutions for Teen Dental Health
At Norco Family Dental, we can help your teen with their oral health challenges during these formative years. Here’s what we suggest.
Education and Motivation: We help teens connect oral health with the appearance of their teeth, confidence, and overall health. Teens often care more about their dental hygiene when they understand how poor care affects their smile and breath.
Family Involvement: We encourage parents to stay involved (while of course respecting their teen’s growing responsibility and independence). So we discuss treatment options together and encourage family conversations around oral health.
Customized Care Plans: Every teen has different needs. Some struggle with braces complications. Others may be dealing with wisdom teeth pain. We create individual treatment plans for your teen that address their particular concerns.
Regular Cleanings: Professional cleanings remove plaque that home brushing misses. We catch problems early before they become more painful and costly fixes.
Get Your Teen the Right Dental Care in Greeley, CO
At Norco Family Dental, Dr. Stewart and Dr. Buffington are both fathers and experienced dentists. They offer comprehensive teen dental care that will set your teen up for a lifetime of good oral health. Considering giving us a call at (970) 356-5277 to schedule your teen’s appointment and keep their smile healthy through these formative years.