Teeth are precious! - Managing oral health in teens

March 18-24 is being recognised as Global Teen Health Week, aimed at raising the profile of adolescent health. Below is an article from the Paediatrics Association of Jamaica.

The teenage years can be one of the hardest periods of one's life. It can also be hard on parents as the onset of puberty can completely change the child's emotional state.

Teenagers can also be tough on their teeth. They may be so busy with social activities, school and sports that they don't find time to brush properly. They also tend to eat a lot of junk food. Combine the two and you have a situation where tooth decay is likely to develop.

 

Some things that help you keep your oral health

 

Brushing - You should brush your teeth at least twice a day (or better, after every meal), avoiding sugary snacks and beverages as much as possible is how you do it. Make sure to see your dentist regularly, too.

Sealants - Dental sealants are a type of special plastic coating that act as a barrier, protecting cavity-prone areas. They are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and are sometimes used to cover deep pits and grooves in other teeth. Sealing a tooth is fast and easy. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing but sometimes a reapplication is needed.

Mouth guards - If you play a contact sport, it's a good idea to wear a mouth guard. It may feel awkward at first, but mouth guards are the best thing you can use to protect your teeth from getting broken or knocked out. They cushion blows that would otherwise cause injuries to the lips and face and sometimes even jaw fractures.

 

Some dental concerns that may arise

 

Wisdom teeth - Also referred to as third molars, wisdom teeth should come into your mouth between the ages of 17 and 21. Sometimes they do not have enough room to come in normally or are in the wrong position to come straight up. When that happens, your dentist may refer to them as impacted and they may have to be removed.

Braces - If you have a bad bite or your teeth are crooked or out of alignment, you may benefit from braces. Braces can help improve your smile and straighten your teeth. They can also improve your dental health and overall health because untreated orthodontic problems can make it hard to bite and chew and can interfere with eating. If you have a bad bite, you may also be prone to cavities or gum disease because it may be hard to clean your teeth.

Mouth jewellery - Oral piercings or tongue splitting may look cool, but they can be dangerous to your health. That's because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings. They could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing and repeated clicking of the jewellery against teeth can also cause damage. An infected oral piercing can also lead to more serious systemic infections, including hepatitis or endocarditis.

Eating disorders (e.g. anorexia, bulimia and binge eating) - Eating disorders arise from a variety of complex physical, emotional and social issues and they can also be devastating to your oral health. Poor nutrition may make the gums and other soft tissue inside the mouth bleed easily, and the glands that produce saliva may swell and individuals may experience chronic dry mouth. Frequent vomiting will also affect teeth. As the strong stomach acid repeatedly flows over teeth, the tooth's enamel can be damaged. The teeth may change in colour, shape and length and the edges of teeth become thin and break off easily. Eating disorders require professional help. If you are concerned that you or a loved one has an eating disorder, please speak to your doctor.

Smoking - Smoking is not only bad for your health but also for your oral health. It can cause gum disease, stained teeth and tongue, bad breath, slow healing after a tooth extraction, and even oral cancer.

 

Dealing with halitosis

 

Bad breath (halitosis) can happen anytime, thanks to the hundreds of types of bad breath-causing bacteria that naturally live in your mouth. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leave a foul-smelling waste product behind.

What helps against bad breath?

Brush and floss - Brush at least twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss to get rid of all that bacteria that's causing your bad breath.

Clean tongue - Take care of your tongue. That's where most bad-breath bacteria can be found. Use a toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clear them out.

Mouthwash - I believe that the best mouthwash is undiluted peroxide (from the 'brown bottle').

- Dr Otto Beck is an orthodontist. Send feedback to editor@gleanerjm.com