How to Motivate Your Teen to Brush Their Teeth Regularly
Do you often find it hard to motivate your teen to brush their teeth regularly? Some teenagers hate brushing teeth because it's a tedious task. Others may not like the taste of toothpaste or the feel of a toothbrush in their mouth. Still, others may feel lazy and not want to take the time to brush their teeth. But no matter what the reason, it's important for teenagers to develop healthy dental habits.
How can parents encourage their teenagers to brush their teeth regularly?
1. Talk about the consequences of not brushing regularly. When your child becomes a teenager, they start to see things more clearly and can often be quite insightful.
2. Let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. This will help them feel more ownership of their dental hygiene. Teenagers who establish healthy dental habits at a younger age are more likely to have healthy teeth for the rest of their lives.
3. Encourage them to floss at least once a day. Flossing helps to remove plaque and bacteria from in between the teeth where a toothbrush can't reach.
4. Help and empower them to make dental appointments and take them to the dentist for regular check-ups. Encouraging a proactive approach to dental health is important for teenagers' overall health and wellness.
5. Prepare healthy meals and avoid serving sugary foods. Sugary foods and drinks can cause cavities and other dental problems.
6. Set a good example and brush your own teeth regularly. If you make it a habit to brush your teeth twice a day, your teen is more likely to follow suit. And, if they see you flossing and using mouthwash, they’re likely to do the same!
7. Encourage them to floss at least once a day. Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene, yet it's often overlooked. Flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria from in between the teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. It's important to floss at least once a day to maintain good oral health.
What are some common dental problems teenagers have?
It's a sad but sobering reality that many kids these days don't brush their teeth as often or properly. The number is even lower for those who are twelve to seventeen years old. According to a Gallup survey, only 64% of them make sure they're brushing twice daily which can lead to not only bad breath but also cavities.
Some common dental problems teenagers have include cavities, plaque build-up, and gingivitis. Cavities are damaged areas that form in the teeth due to decay. They develop into tiny openings or holes. Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on the teeth and can cause gingivitis, or gum disease. Gum disease is a condition that causes the gums to become inflamed and bleed easily.
What should parents do if their teenager has a cavity?
If your teenager has a cavity, it's important to have it treated as soon as possible. This will help prevent the cavity from getting bigger and causing further damage to the tooth. All of these problems can be prevented by brushing teeth regularly, using fluoride toothpaste, and flossing daily. The dentist can also help detect and treat any dental problems that may occur.
The dentist may also recommend that your teenager see a dental specialist, such as an endodontist or periodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating the inside of the tooth, while a periodontist specializes in treating the gums and other tissues around the tooth.
Healthy dental habits are important for everyone, not just teenagers! By following these tips, you can help motivate your teen to brush their teeth regularly.
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At Andrew Kim, DDS, we are always looking for new ways to improve the dental health of patients. Our goal has always been and will always be to create and maintain a family-oriented dental practice that empowers and equips all our patients to create healthy dental hygiene habits.
At our family-friendly Escondido dental office, we provide preventative care, cleaning, and dental procedures to help our patients be confident in both their smiles and overall health. Call us at (760) 747-5295 to book your dental appointment with us.
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Andrew Kim, DDS is an Escondido dentist providing advanced dental treatment to the Escondido communities and the Northern San Diego area. We make your comfort and oral health our top priority. Book your appointment today!