At a certain point, you’re going to need to let go and let kids make their own decisions or even mistakes. This is certainly true when thinking about oral health. When they reach a certain age, usually, the early teens, you need to step back and let them take care of their own oral health and hygiene. The problem is that oral health isn’t typically going to be the main concern for a lot of teens. So, how do you make sure that your teen is looking after their teeth without constantly watching over their shoulder? Well, there are a few ways to do this.
One of the first steps you should take is booking an orthodontic appointment. Your teen probably will care about this option because at a certain age they will realize that crooked teeth or a large overbite are not attractive. The good news is that there are a fantastic array of possibilities available on the market from invisible braces to options for more severe issues. Orthodontic treatment can be customized to individual needs and ensure that every teen gets the treatment they require.
You might think that orthodontics is just about cosmetic benefits. On the contrary, though, this treatment can help teens avoid issues like teeth grinding which will ultimately lead to damage and potentially decay.
You can’t expect your teen to keep up their oral health if you don’t have the products that they need. Make sure that you are stocking up on mouthwash, toothpaste and of course floss. It’s important that all these items are somewhere your teen can easily find them and basically out for them to see. Most teens, particularly, boys won’t go hunting around for these products but will use them if they are readily available.
You might also want to make sure that you are replacing their toothbrush regularly. This ensures that they are able to clean their teeth effectively, rather than trying to work with a brush that has seen better days.
Make sure that you encourage the teens to eat and drink healthily. One of the benefits of being a parent is that you still have a lot of control over the food and drink in the house. You might want to limit the number of soda cans and sugary snacks. These are going to cause issues with their teeth. If teens do insist on drinking sodas, make sure they have plenty of straws to use. This can stop the harmful products swirling around the mouth several times, damaging the teeth before being swallowed.
Finally, do make sure that you are booking a regular checkups. It’s easy to assume that kids aren’t going to want to go to the dentist. However, if you make sure that you book the appointment teens will have no choice. This is a smart choice, particularly if you think your child isn’t effectively looking after their oral health. It can also provide them with great information on the benefits of a beautiful smile. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
Call 614-475-5439 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
