Most Common Dental Issues in Teens and How to Prevent Them

How you treat your teeth during your teenage years will have a huge effect on your teeth in the future. Teeth can’t regrow, they can only be fixed so many times until they need to be taken out and replaced with implants, so make sure to keep these most common dental issues in teens in mind and do your best to prevent them today.

Teeth crowding

Crowded jaw can be a huge problem for teens. When teeth are pushed too close together, they can cause misalignment and make cleaning very hard. Teeth crowding can result in gum disease, speech impediments and chewing issues, tooth decay due to inability to floss, abnormal wear of tooth enamel and other jaw problems. Braces can be a good solution for crowding, so make sure to see a good dentist and seek help.

Gingivitis

Teens often suffer from gingivitis due to an increase in sex hormones in puberty. During gingivitis, gum tissue can become red, inflamed and irritated. But, with proper brushing, flossing and mouthwash use, bacteria build-up will disappear. If these symptoms sound familiar to you, don’t hesitate to book an appointment to care for your smile with a dental examination arlington for professional advice.

Tooth injury

Many teens take part in various sporting activities that can result in a dental injury. Caused by collisions, falls and hard surface contact, these dental injuries can end up in cracks, breaks or even knocked-out teeth. And since in Australia for instance, 15-year-olds have two decayed, missing or filled permanent teeth on average, this can be a great issue for the future. Luckily, you can always find a good dentist in Bondi Junction to take a look at your teeth and fix any tooth damage. They can also recommend some prevention like using mouth or face guards while you perform your sporting activity.

Teeth misalignment

Crooked teeth can create a lot of self-esteem issues for teenagers. While you can’t do anything special to prevent teeth misalignment, there are various ways to correct the bite. From traditional braces to some more advanced solutions, almost all bite issues can be solved. There are even clear retainers like Invisalign that are almost invisible which makes them perfect for older teens who are concerned about their aesthetic appearance (metal braces can look a bit childish and outdated).

Cavities

Cavities are not specific for teens, but they are especially prone to tooth decay. During this time, kids often live on carbs and sugars which can lead to increased acidity in the oral cavity and encourage tooth decay. So, make sure to watch out what you eat and brush after every meal to remove plaque from the surface of the tooth. Drink plenty of water to make the acid in your mouth less concentrated.

Wisdom teeth issues

Third molars or wisdom teeth usually come out between the ages of 15 and 25. In case your jaw is smaller or if wisdom teeth aren’t positioned right, their growth can cause a lot of issues. If the new tooth has no place to grow, it can affect other teeth and cause pain, swelling and infections. In that case, extraction is the best solution—much better than risking deterioration of other teeth.

Mouth jewelry damage

Many teens are attracted to oral jewelry like lip piercings, tongue piercings or cheek piercings. While they look stylish, they can cause infections, swelling and even blockage of the airway. But, they also leave permanent dental damage caused by biting down on the jewelry, playing with it and clicking it against the teeth. So, before you choose to pierce any part of your oral cavity, consider the health and the look of your teeth and see whether it’s worth it.

If you pay attention to your teeth when you’re a teenager, you’ll have a much easier time taking care of your teeth when you’re an adult. Plus, you’re chompers will be straight, strong and pearly white!