Oral Health: A Guide for Teens

• Oral health and everyday oral hygiene are important aspects of overall health.

Importance of Oral Health

• Dental issues can be painful and distracting and too much bacteria in your mouth can affect other body organs, your health, and mental health.
• Major depressive disorders and symptoms are associated with a lack of confidence and poor oral health outcomes.
• Poor oral health may increase dental decay, gum disease, and missing teeth, while also playing a part in conditions like endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia.

Common Oral Issues

• Dental caries is the most prevalent dental and craniofacial disorder affecting teens.
• Tooth decay starts with bacteria making acids that attack the tooth's enamel, leading to cavities, pain, infection, and tooth loss if untreated.
• Gum health's important for overall well-being.

Gum Health for Teens

• Healthy gums support teeth and prevent tooth decay or loss.
• Hormonal changes can cause sensitivity and gingivitis can progress to more serious gum diseases if not treated.
• Poor gum health results in bad breath, discomfort, and affect tooth alignment, especially when wearing braces.
• Common tooth alignment issues include crowding, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites, which affect appearance and function.
• Understanding alignment problems and treating them can prevent serious dental and jaw issues, improving oral health and confidence.

Understanding Common Oral Issues

• 173 million Americans miss at least one tooth because of poor dental hygiene.
• The rougher your teeth, the more footholds bad bacteria have
• Tartar causes roughness usually, caused by calcium compounds trapping bacteria and food particles.
• Plaque hardening also creates tartar

Gum Health in Teens

• Gum health can be influenced by poor oral hygiene, sugary diets, and hormonal changes which can cause plaque buildup and gum disease.
• Gum inflammation and gingivitis, a common gum condition can be caused by Hormonal fluctuations during puberty.
• Properly aligned teeth facilitate easier biting, chewing, and speaking with improved dental hygiene.
• Misaligned teeth lead to uneven wear, jaw strain, difficulty cleaning resulting in gum disease or tooth decay.

Common Teeth Alignment Issues

• Crowding means teeth overlap.
• Overbites are where upper teeth overlap lower teeth extensively.
• Underbites are where lower teeth protrude past upper teeth.
• Crossbites are where upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth.
• Open bites is when top teeth don't meet when the mouth is closed
• Dentists assess teeth to create treatment plans, using braces or aligners to adjust teeth, even removing them if there is crowding.
• Straight and aligned teeth cleaning is more effective, reducing food particles remaining.

Gum Disease

• Periodontal disease is an infection of tissues holding teeth in place, primary caused by bacteria and inflammation, and can break down bone and gum tissue.
• Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for gum disease and general oral health.
• Hormonal changes in girls, AIDS, diabetes, and certain disease treatments also cause gum disease.

Statistics on Dental Problems

• 3.58 billion people are affected by oral diseases worldwide
• Oral diseases are considered the most prevalent noncommunicable disease.
• Oral health is an indicator of overall health.
• Tooth decay has the highest cases in dental visits at 42%
• Tooth decay happens when bacterial film otherwise known as plaque occurs on the tooth's surface.
• Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and cause by plaque
• Cracked teeth, enamel erosion, teeth grinding, & root infection also contributes.

Risk Factors that impact oral health

• Frequently consuming sugary foods & drinks
• Having a family history of cavities
• High bacteria count
• Poor diet and lack of access to care
• Inadequate fluoride/lack of saliva
• Higher risk of tooth decay the older you get

Oral Health Tips

• Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with soft bristles, fluoride toothpaste, and brush your tongue
• Floss at least once per day.
• Limit sugary drinks and foods
• Eat foods as part of meal instead of snacks throughout the day
• See a dentist every 6 months for cleanings
• Replace toothbrush every few months

Brushing, Eating, and Daily Routine

• Cleaning teeth with efficiency is most beneficial.
• Electric toothbrushes removes 32.3% more plaque than manual, helping fight off gum diseases
• Fibrous food keeps teeth clean and help in producing saliva which also defends against cavities and gum disease.
• Dairy products that are milk and cheese
• Green and black teas contains polyphenols which kills dangerous acids.
• Foods containing fluoride also are good for teeth
• The American Dental Association says brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time
• The Cleveland Clinic recommends brushing your tongue and using antibacterial mouthwash daily.