The teenage years are busy with sport, school, social life, and somewhere in between, dental health. It's easy for oral care to slip down the priority list when life moves this fast. But the habits and choices made during the teen years can have a real impact on the health of teeth well into adulthood.
As family dentists in Blackburn, we see the effects of these habits regularly. Here are three of the most common concerns we discuss with parents and teens.
Energy Drinks and Their Impact on Teeth
Energy drinks are popular with teens, but the acid content in these drinks is the main problem — not just the sugar. Frequent sipping throughout the day causes more damage than consuming drinks quickly, because each sip restarts the acid attack on tooth enamel.
Our recommendations:
- Limit energy drink consumption as much as possible
- If drinking one, consume it in one sitting rather than sipping over hours
- Follow with water to help rinse acid from the teeth
- Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing — brushing while enamel is softened by acid can cause more damage
Sports Mouthguards
Contact sports are a leading cause of dental injuries in teenagers. A knocked-out or broken tooth is painful, expensive to treat, and sometimes impossible to fully repair.
Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist offer significantly better protection than store-bought boil-and-bite alternatives. They fit precisely, stay in place during play, and properly absorb impact to reduce the risk of knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, and jaw injuries.
If your teen plays any contact sport — football, basketball, hockey, martial arts — a custom mouthguard is one of the best investments you can make in their dental health.
Teeth Whitening Safety for Teens
Many teens want whiter teeth, but teen enamel is still maturing and is more vulnerable to sensitivity and irritation from whitening products.
We generally advise against teeth whitening for teenagers. Over-the-counter whitening products and whitening toothpastes can be too abrasive for developing teeth, potentially causing sensitivity and uneven results. If your teen is concerned about the colour of their teeth, a professional consultation is the safest first step.
General Prevention Tips
The foundation of good dental health for teens is the same as for everyone:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily
- Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks
- Attend dental check-ups every six months
If you have questions about your teenager's dental health, or if it's time for a check-up, contact our friendly team at Whitehorse Dental Blackburn on (03) 8838 8820.