teenage hygiene

Teenagers typically are busy with school, extracurricular activities and social commitments. But while maintaining an active lifestyle, it’s important that they remember to make wise, nutritious choices to keep their mouth and teeth healthy.

Help keep your teen's teeth healthy and bright.

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keeping teenage teeth healthy

supporting the oral health of Washington, DC patients

The way that you care for your teeth in your teen years sets the tone for your oral health for the rest of your life. With proper nutrition and great oral care practices, you can ensure that you have a beautiful smile for years to come. Learn about what foods, drinks, and habits can help you keep your teeth healthy and bright!

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Foods and Beverages To Avoid for Healthy Teeth

Avoid sugary foods and beverages such as candy, desserts, and fruit and vegetable juices. Sugar fuels the bacteria that produce acid and cause tooth decay, the most common chronic disease among children. Carbohydrates such as chips, bread, pasta or crackers also promote acid-causing bacteria, so they can be just as harmful to your teeth as sugar. Healthy snack options include nuts, raw vegetables, fruit, cheese or plain yogurt.

Should I Limit Soda?

Yes. Consider that a typical, 12-ounce can of regular soda contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar. Not only is sugar harmful to teeth, but acidic flavor additives can also erode and damage tooth enamel. Sugar-free diet soda also is bad for your teeth, as all types of soda contain acid that can cause tooth erosion. There are simple ways you can limit the harmful effects of sodas. Try sipping soda through a straw; doing this will cut down the contact the beverage has with your teeth. Also, rinse your mouth with water after drinking soda, which can help reduce the risk of cavities.

Should I Avoid Sports Drinks?

Sports drinks have become popular in recent years among adolescents who want to increase their energy levels and who may believe that these drinks are “better for them” than soda. However, keep in mind that the acidity levels in such sports drinks can cause acid erosion, just like soda can. After you drink one, wait at least an hour to brush your teeth to avoid increasing the erosive action, and rinse your mouth with water if you can.

Tobacco and Oral Health

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, and it’s important that teenagers avoid starting a tobacco-use habit that can continue into adulthood. Tobacco users are putting themselves at risk of developing:

Nicotine dependence

Health conditions such as asthma, cancer, and heart and respiratory disease

Oral conditions such as gum disease and halitosis (bad breath)

Staining and loosening of teeth and tooth loss

Oral cancer

Why Should I Avoid Oral Piercings?

People can chip teeth on oral piercings, such as tongue piercings, while they’re eating, sleeping, talking and chewing on the jewelry. Tongue piercings commonly cause fractured teeth. The fracture can be confined to tooth enamel and require a filling, or it may go deeper — in which case, there may be a need for a root canal or tooth extraction. Infections are also common with oral piercings.

Maintain Your Oral Health with DC Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry

In addition to visiting us for regular checkups and cleanings at least twice a year, it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day, with either a manual or an electric toothbrush. Consider carrying a travel-size toothbrush with you in your backpack to ensure you’re maintaining your oral hygiene even when you’re on-the-go. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment!

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For more information on teenage hygiene or to schedule an appointment, call us at (202) 363-2810 or visit our contact page.

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