Your teen’s oral health habits play a major role when it comes to a great smile, a healthy mouth, and overall health. Which habits are helpful, and which are harmful? Daily flossing and twice-daily brushing are a great start—and as always, there’s much more you should know.
Teeth Grinding: Harmful
Teeth grinding is a condition known as bruxism. While some patients clench or grind their teeth due to stress, others do so because of airway issues. Bruxism can occur in children, teens, and adults. Often, those with the condition clench and grind while they sleep, and may not realize it unless someone tells them. However, your teen’s dentist may recognize signs such as worn teeth, bone spurs, and recessed gums. Headaches and sore facial muscles may also indicate bruxism. Left untreated, the condition could lead to painful issues such as jaw joint disorders. If you suspect your teen is suffering with this issue, a dental evaluation is the first step toward resolving it.
Chewing Ice: Harmful
As we recently reported, chewing ice can cause tiny cracks in the enamel that protects the nerve inside the teeth. That’s because tooth enamel is not strong enough to withstand ice’s extreme cold or brittle texture. Cravings for ice may also be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. If your teen chews ice, encourage her to stop for the sake of her teeth—and if the issue involves cravings, consult your teen’s physician as well.
Getting Dental Sealants: Helpful
Dental sealants are a helpful extra form of protection against cavities and decay for children’s and teens’ teeth. Your teen’s dental team can apply them easily and quickly. However, sealants can only protect properly along with diligent oral care, which includes daily flossing and twice-daily brushing. You can read more about dental sealants here.
Snack Foods, Soda, and Sports Drinks: Harmful
Many processed snack foods also contain high amounts of sugar. But even those that don’t, such as chips and cheese puffs, can be similarly harmful to teeth since they’re high in acid-producing carbohydrates that can promote tooth decay. Fresh fruit, nuts, real cheese, and raw, crunchy vegetables are all better snack choices that will promote your teen’s oral health.
Oral Piercings: Harmful
Oral piercings and jewelry may be a popular form of self-expression, but are they worth the risk? Mouth jewelry can increase your teen’s chances of developing serious oral health issues, including:
- Allergies or hypersensitivity to metal
- Blood vessel damage (possibly including blood loss)
- Cracked/damaged teeth
- Drooling
- Eating difficulties (chewing and swallowing)
- Filling damage
- Gum damage
- Injuries sustained during sports
- Nerve damage that could affect mouth movement or sense of taste
- Oral infections
- Pain
- Speech impediments
- Tongue swelling and possible airway blockage
- X-ray difficulties during dental appointments
The American Dental Association has more details and recommendations on this topic here.
Sleep Deprivation: Harmful
Strictly speaking, it’s not an oral health habit—but a lack of sleep could harm your teen’s oral health. In 2013, a study of sleep disorders and oral health, involving nearly 30,000 adults, found that those who slept fewer than six hours per night ran a higher risk of gum inflammation. While the study included only adults, it’s important to remember that the habits your teen develops now—both helpful and harmful—could carry into adulthood. According to a 2018 American Dental Association article, approximately 42% of American adults over age 30 have some form of periodontitis (gum disease). Encourage your teen to get enough sleep to help avoid this. Studies show that for most teens, nine hours of sleep per night is optimal.
Smoking and Vaping: Harmful
For teens who use electronic cigarettes, oral health risks are just as high. Vaping is not necessarily a helpful alternative to smoking. According to one study, when e-cigarettes burn, their vapors cause oral cells to become inflamed. This puts the entire mouth at risk of disease, in addition to the risk of serious injury from exploding devices. Flavored e-cigarettes may be even more harmful to your teen, since the risk of inflammation and/or ulcers is higher when certain flavoring chemicals are present. In addition, e-cigarette use may contribute to xerostomia (dry mouth), which can lead to faster tooth decay. Moreover, the nicotine in e-cigarettes can damage your teen’s gum tissue, increasing the likelihood of periodontal issues.
Using Teeth as Tools: Harmful
When the right tool isn’t within reach, some teens might be tempted to use their teeth to accomplish tasks such as cracking a nut or opening a bottle. With such actions, the accompanying risk of cracking teeth, loosening them, or even pulling them out entirely is obvious. Even a “gentler” task such as tearing off a piece of tape can weaken and harm teeth. In cases of extreme damage, patients may require bridges, crowns, dental implants, or other significant treatment. Remind your teens to protect their teeth by using the right tool for the task at hand.
Wearing Custom-Fitted Mouthguards for Sports: Helpful
If your teen is active in sports, a mouthguard is essential for protection against injury. Though stock mouthguards are the least expensive, they usually don’t fit well and can make talking and breathing difficult. In extreme cases, they may also cause teeth to shift. Boil and bite varieties (which work by molding to a wearer’s teeth after softening in water) are available in drugstores and sporting goods stores, and may be more comfortable. However, for optimal comfort and athletic performance, consider asking your teen’s dentist for a customized mouthguard.