Why Your Teen Shouldn’t Overlook Flossing
Posted on October 3, 2023
Parents often supervise dental hygiene for their children for many years. However, by the time most kids hit their teens, parents feel that they should be able to handle those habits on their own. According to the Centers for Disease Control, however, 50% of teens aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in a least one of their permanent teeth. Cavities are often caused by insufficient dental hygiene habits. Clearly, teens can’t afford to forget important dental habits such as flossing. Let’s look at a few reasons why this is so important for teens.
Dental Decay and Disease Risks
A person’s risks for tooth decay and dental disease don’t decrease when they hit their teen years. In fact, the CDC cites that dental decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in young people from the ages of 5-17. Younger children get a lot of assistance from parents with dental habits, in hopes of creating strong routines that will click automatically during the teen years. However, this is not always the case.
Parents still need to figure out ways to ensure their teens are keeping up with those habits. A lack of flossing can have a dramatic and negative impact on oral health for teens. Considering that teens now have all of their permanent teeth, tooth decay comes with much bigger consequences. A family dentist can help keep your teen’s teeth in great shape.
Poor Food Choices
During the teen years, kids are also getting a lot more freedom to make their own choices. This can include their choices concerning food and snacks. It’s often the case that kids in this age group choose foods and snacks that are high in sugar. With parents not keeping a strict watch over what their child is eating anymore, it’s very possible for large amounts of sugar and soda to be consumed without the parent ever knowing. If this is coupled with less vigilant dental habits like flossing, the result will quickly be tooth decay and other dental habits.
In addition to the normal dental processes many undergo at this age, a handful of children will endure orthodontic treatment as well. If a teen is already slacking on dental hygiene and then has braces placed on their teeth, the result could be a deterioration in healthy teeth and gums. If you’re concerned about your teens flossing habits and dental hygiene habits, please contact us today. Our family dentist is here for all of your dental needs!
