Teenagers remain so busy in their lives that it nearly becomes impossible to monitor their activities. Teens tend to pick up habits at this age. They may cause severe damage to their teeth and gum health. They gain habits like eating too much or not eating at all. When it comes to eating or drinking, they prefer soda and some unhealthy snacks. This is because the spices in such food make them regain the taste again and again. However, these habits cause tooth decay. Tooth decay is one of the most common conditions that happen with children.

Saifee Hospital treats the patients with respect and dignity. The patients are provided with the utmost importance. The staff of the hospital works for the better care and health of the patients. The hospital undertakes the use of the latest technology. It takes proper care so that none of the patients get deprived of urgent needs at the time of emergency. Saifee Hospital is a multi-specialty healthcare destination. It has been made to provide equal treatment to all of its patients.

What can you do to maintain the gum hygiene of your teen?

It is important to talk to your doctor when it is about maintaining the health and hygiene of your teen. Brushing is the most important activity that prevents tooth decay, bad breath, and gum diseases. But, while being at the age of teenage, they do not prefer to brush their teeth. This may be because they do not understand the importance of brushing or may just forget to perform the activity.

You can track their activity. Try to look for the things that will let you know whether they have performed brushing or not. For example- the brush may have not been used, their teeth may not look clean and you can also notice their gum issues if they have any.

You can encourage your child to have to brush twice a day. Talk to them about how important it is for them to brush daily. In case you need to remind them, here are the basic steps for brushing teeth:

1. Use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
2. Aim at brushing 45 degrees towards your gum line
3. Start with the top teeth first. Brush gently and hold the brush firmly. Brush outside the surface of the teeth and one tooth at a time. Brush in the inside surface of the teeth and gums.
4. Move to the bottom jaw of the teeth and repeat the above step.
5. Use gentle backward and forward motion on the chewing surfaces of the jaw.
6. Brush gently covering all your teeth
7. Perform the activity for around 2 minutes
8. Spit the toothpaste to clean the teeth. Rinse the toothpaste with water or else you can place the leftover toothpaste in the mouth. This will help to remain fresh for a longer time.

If your teen is having the habit of using an electric brush, he/she might have a problem while circulating the brush. Teach them and let them understand the way to move the brush around the teeth. Keep your brush handle still and guide your teen for brushing across the teeth and gums. Teach them the habit of flossing regularly.

Here we have enlisted a few of the habits that you can adopt to take good care of your teen’s gum problems:

Limit the use of sports drinks and soda

The taste of the soda and cold drinks directly hits the taste buds. Such food encourages the taste and creates the habit of eating them regularly. Teenagers tend to drink soda and soft drinks while being at home or school. Soda and soft drinks are loaded with sugar. Such food causes cavities. They contain acid flavors that are found in additives, sweeteners, sweetened and unsweetened soda drinks. They cause erosion to tooth enamel. If your teenager encourages you to drink soda and soft drinks, make them develop a habit to rinse their mouth after drinking. This will help to remove extra sugar and reduce tooth decay.

Encourage Healthy Snacking

Teens are notorious. They develop the habit of grabbing snacks and small meals. They frequently like to eat between their school and activities or while covering the distance between school and home. But such a type of eating may create permanent damage to their teeth. This may further hinder their overall health and cause damage to their oral hygiene. Try to have healthy snacks. Make the availability of fresh fruits. Try to make them learn flossing and brushing after taking a heavy meal. Encourage your teens to take sugarless snacks or meals. This will encourage them to clean their mouth and remain fresh. Make a habit of drinking water after an hour of every meal. Keep your mouth free from food while you are working.

Protect Your Teeth and Gum

If your teen is involved in any heavy sports activity, make it a habit to wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard can be custom fitted by the dentist or you can buy the same from a departmental store. A mouth guard will protect your child’s oral health specifically when they are paying attention to some other work. Encourage them by rinsing the mouthguard after every use. Store the mouthguard in a well-ventilated container.

Schedule a doctor’s appointment for a routine checkup

Make a routine visit to your dentist. Try not only to floss or brush every day, make a habit to visit your dentist for a regular checkup. Certain things can cause damage to teen gums, mouth, and overall oral health. At this stage of life, teens may develop some bad habits like drinking alcohol, smoking, and oral piercing. Encourage your teen to talk to a doctor regarding the increased risk of damage to their oral health. 

Take a Step towards Flossing Your Teeth

Merely brushing doesn’t remove the plaque particles and food between your teeth. Make a habit to floss your teeth at least once a day. The type of floss you choose depends on the gap between your teeth. Your dentist may recommend you the style of flossing. With any floss, you can develop the habit of avoiding any injury to your gums or teeth. It will let you maintain your oral hygiene. Carefully insert the floss between your teeth and move it in a back and forth position. Bring the floss gently towards your gums. Curve the floss around the edges. Slide it down to remove food inside your teeth. Repeat the process for all your teeth. 

ConclusionContact Saifee Hospital for pediatric dentistry and learn how important it is for you to maintain your oral health. Get your teenager to learn the habits of brushing or flossing every day. The staff of the hospital accept new patients and maintain its relationship with old ones. Schedule your date and time with the well-qualified doctors and get your teen tested with the latest technology.