Adolescence+Puberty
Teen hormones affect dental health
Adolescent hormones affect growth, development, and reproduction. They can also impact the health of your smile.
Teens often have dental health challenges that are unique to this stage of life. Let's explore some common teenage concerns and questions.
Keep your smile beautiful
As a child, you might have had plaque, but you probably didn't have any symptoms. Now that you're a teen, your hormones will influence how plaque reacts in your mouth.
Do you ever have swollen gums? What about a little bleeding when you floss? Or have you ever been diagnosed with gingivitis?
None of these conditions are normal or healthy. Don't kid yourself. All three are signs that you need to step up your oral hygiene. Get a soft-bristled toothbrush and work harder at brushing at your gum line.
You're not a little kid anymore. You need to start brushing and flossing like an adult.
Oral hygiene: know the beauty basics
If you experience bleeding or swollen gums, you might be surprised to learn that "you're doing it wrong" when it comes to brushing and flossing. For detailed information on getting it right, visit the Mouth Healthy site. Sponsored by the American Dental Association, this site lets you know exactly how to improve two essential oral hygiene techniques.
Brushing Your Teeth
Five Steps to a Flawless Floss
Brushing and flossing may not be the most glamorous beauty habits in the world - but they're essential. Develop those two healthy habits right now. You'll want your smile to last a lifetime.
Braces: let's get it straight
If you have braces, you'll need to work even harder at keeping your mouth clean. If you're not vigilant with oral hygiene, you may see your gums start to swell and extend down to the bracket.
This can give you a gummy-looking smile. And while your gums may go back to normal after your braces come off - it's not an attractive look while your braces are on. People will know just by looking at your gums that you're not practicing good oral hygiene.
Further, poor hygiene while you're wearing braces can put you at risk of de-calcification. When your braces come off, you might see white spots on your teeth. These telltale signs of bad oral hygiene will never go away - they'll last your entire lifetime.
It's easier to spend five to six minutes a day focused on brushing and flossing. A tiny investment in time, tools, and technique can help you make the most out of your smile.
If it looks gross: don't kiss it
Kissable lips are healthy lips. Avoid kissing anyone with a sore on their mouth. Ever.
A round red blister on the lip is often a cold sore. It's caused by the herpes virus.
When you kiss someone who has a cold sore, you run a high risk of getting the herpes virus. And that stays with you the rest of your life.
If you already carry the cold sore virus, you can avoid outbreaks by managing your stress, watching your diet, and practicing good oral hygiene. When you have an outbreak, or feel as if a cold sore is about to emerge - see your doctor. The sooner you take prescription antiviral medication, the sooner your cold sore will fade.
When you're under stress, a blister or sore may erupt inside your mouth. These are called canker sores. They're generally white with a red ring.
Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not contagious. While canker sores can be annoying and painful, they'll usually go away on their own after a week or two.
Keep your mouth kissable
To keep your lips looking their best, consider using a lip balm with a sunscreen. Lips can get sunburned, which may cause them to crack and bleed.
Cold air and a lack of humidity can also dry out your lips. Drink lots of water and use balms or pretty glosses to keep your lips soft and smooth.
Smooth, sore-free mouths can be a sign of good oral hygiene and self-care. Remember, the most kissable lips are hygienic and healthy.
HPV - the threat Is real...and deadly.
Head and neck cancer is the 6th most common cancer worldwide. In the US, around 60,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.
Of these, Human Papilloma Virus -- or HPV -- is a part of most oralpharyngeal head and neck cancers in the US. Typical symptoms include: ear pain, neck mass, pain with swallowing, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
The best defense against HPV is prevention. Anyone from ages 9 to 45 can get the HPV vaccine. Get vaccinated as early as possible. The cost of the vaccine is covered by most insurance plans.
Mid- to late-stage HPV cancers don't have a great prognosis. Prevention is your best option, but early detection is second on your list.
Many dentists now do oral cancer exams as part of your regular six-month screening. If your dentist doesn't: find one who will. It generally takes less than 30 seconds to perform a routine oral cancer examination.
DIY Head-Oral-Neck (HON) self-exam
In between your six-month checkup, you can perform a Head-Oral-Neck (HON) self-exam .
You already do a monthly breast cancer self-examination: now add HON to the list, as well.
While HPV is a large and fast-growing risk, your 30-second HON exam can help you detect other head, oral, and neck cancers as well.
The best-value beauty treatment:
the answer won't surprise you...
Don't let the low cost of preventive dental care make you take oral health for granted. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss don't cost much. Brushing and flossing only takes five to six minutes a day. Visiting a dentist twice a year for x-rays and cleanings is extremely affordable.
Daily brushing and flossing provides an amazing health and beauty value. Make sure to do both, so that your gorgeous smile will last forever.
