Adolescence is a difficult time in the lives of many young people. Even after the establishment of healthy habits during childhood, oral hygiene in adolescents can be underestimated, increasing the risk of oral diseases that directly or indirectly affect general health.

From the onset of puberty, the adolescent body goes through a series of hormonal, physical, psychological and behavioral changes. Lifestyle, diet, neglect of oral hygiene, along with the possible acquisition of harmful habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption, complicate the task of parents to help their children in the care of their oral health.

What is the importance of dental hygiene in adolescence?

Oral hygiene is very important at all stages of life, but we must pay special attention during adolescence. This age is key for boys and girls to finish establishing good health habits, preventing problems in the future.

By the end of childhood, the oral structures are fully formed and the primary dentition has been replaced by permanent teeth. This is the perfect time to ensure proper positioning of the teeth and, if necessary, to resort to orthodontics or other procedures to correct or improve the functionality of the young mouth.

Oral hygiene in adolescents should be analyzed in a more exhaustive manner, to avoid caries, gingivitis, bad breath, as well as other complications that may increase due to the multiple changes they go through.

How to take care of oral hygiene in adolescents?

The adolescent stage is estimated to be approximately between the ages of 12 and 17. Although young people at this age can already take care of their own oral hygiene without parental help, dental experts recommend frequent supervision to ensure that the procedure is 100% correct.

What are the most important habits for tooth and gum health care? Here are some basic tips for our teenagers:

Complete oral hygiene

Brushing teeth is not only about removing visible dirt and bad breath. It is very important that boys and girls follow a complete oral hygiene routine, making good use of a manual or electric toothbrush.

Time should be taken to remove dental debris and plaque after every meal, and especially before going to bed. There are daily oral care daily oral care products specific for youngsters, such as toothpastes with the right amount of fluoride according to their age. Rinses and toothpastes with anti-plaque agents can also be found to help control biofilm.

In addition, brushing the tongue, flossing or using interdental brushes, and finishing with the Mouthwash, is the best way to ensure the best care of the entire mouth. In the case of orthodontic appliance wearers, oral hygiene is even more important to avoid complications that could compromise the progress of the orthodontic treatment itself.

Of course, the toothbrush or electric toothbrush head must be changed regularly. Do you know how often? We tell you in detail on the KIN blog.

Avoiding unhealthy habits

It is very important to avoid habits that are harmful to health at this age , such as alcohol and tobacco consumption. It not only has serious consequences for the health of the mouth, but also at a general level.

The use of oral piercings, very typical of this stage, is also not recommended, and in the case of wanting to use them, good maintenance should be carried out to avoid serious problems.

Healthy diet

Healthy nutrition, that big headache for parents of teenagers, is fundamental for oral health care. Teeth, gums and other oral structures need a certain amount of nutrients to stay strong and fulfill their function.

It is enough to follow a balanced diet, consume fruits and vegetables, dairy products and proteins of high biological value to enjoy a healthy mouth. Avoid carbonated beverages, energy drinks, bottled juices and do not abuse sugars.

Oral health and sports

Many young people and adolescents regularly practice sports that could pose a danger to the integrity of their teeth. In these cases it is possible to use a specific mouth guard, which prevents mouth injuries, fractures, dislocations or avulsions of the teeth.

Dental checkups

Of course, we cannot forget the importance of having a regular dental check-up by a specialist. To check that oral hygiene in adolescents is adequate, the ideal would be to go to the dentist every 6 months.

At this age young people go through many changes, and the best way to detect oral health problems is to increase the frequency of visits twice a year.

Take advantage of checkups to perform a complete oral hygiene, check the status of wisdom teeth, assess the possibility of orthodontic treatment, and also check that oral hygiene guidelines for adolescents are being followed correctly.