Your child has gone for more than a decade with a spotless record at the dentist. Then all of a sudden, he hits the teen years and gets his first cavity. What’s going on? Why does oral hygiene sometimes slip in the teen years, and how can parents motivate big kids with dental care? And how can parents partner with their teens to keep dental care front and center?
When our kids are little, we often find ourselves hovering near the bathroom while they brush and floss, making sure they do it just right. As our kids grow, we usually give them more control over their hygiene routines. And let’s face it: sometimes parents are in bed way before their teens. Without parental monitoring, oral hygiene can slide. Parents also have less control over what their kids eat and drink as they get older. They have more independence, which is a good thing. But it also means the healthy diets we proudly served when they were toddlers are out the window. We may find ourselves cringing as soft drinks and sweet and salty snacks creep in. But there are ways we can motivate our teens and help them take excellent care of their teeth.
As dentists, we’ve seen several strategies that can motivate teens to improve their oral hygiene.
Can Dental Sealants Help My Teen?Dental sealants are one of the best ways to protect your child’s teeth into the teen years. Dental sealants can prevent up to 80 percent of cavities in molars, according to the CDC. Sealants are a thin protective coating applied to your child’s molars. Ideally, your dentist will apply sealants when the first molars come in around age 6 and again when the second molars erupt around age 12. Dental sealants applied during the elementary years can help protect your teen’s teeth for years to come.
If your child plays sports, a mouthguard is a must. The boil-and-bite variety available at sporting goods stores is sufficient in many cases. However, if your child has braces or other dental sensitivities, talk with your dentist about a custom mouthguard.
If your teen has all of their adult teeth, teeth whitening is a safe option. In-office whitening from your family dentist is the best option. Over-the-counter strips and gels take some preparation and may be harmful if misused. Teeth whitening is a perfect reward for excellent oral care and good results at routine checkups for some families.
One of the best parts about operating a family dental practice is following young people from toddlerhood through the teen years–and in many cases into adulthood. At Greenhill Family Dental Care, our goal is to help create healthy habits that last a lifetime. But we know there are phases when maintaining those healthy habits can be tricky. The cheese puffs and soda years can be a danger zone for dental health. Our approach is to work with parents to creatively incentivize excellent oral hygiene–even when it’s not a priority for your kids. Together, we can find ways to motivate teens to work toward a gorgeous smile by keeping their teeth and gums healthy.
