Oral Health in Carlsbad: Helping Teeth Survive Adolescence

If you are the parent of a child, you may already have some concerns about your child’s well-being. As young men and women progress toward complete independence, some make questionable choices when it comes to their oral health in Carlsbad.

You may know Carlsbad teens that skip meals and others that eat ramen noodles for lunch and dinner. Some youth spend more hours on Instagram than sleeping. Braces can hinder proper brushing. Furthermore, eating disorders such as bulimia can quickly erode enamel and hurt a smile. Dental problems manifesting in the adolescent years can impact teeth for life. Let’s explore some common, yet potentially dangerous dental issues for adolescents.

Wisdom Teeth
The third molars usually come in between late adolescence and the mid-twenties. Common wisdom teeth troubles include bite misalignment, tooth decay, gum disease, and damage to the nearby teeth. It is critical to monitor wisdom teeth and follow the advice of your dentist.

Eating Disorders
Parents who notice their teen abnormally preoccupied with body image and weight loss should be on the lookout for bulimia and anorexia. These serious disorders should not be ignored. Parents are advised to seek treatment immediately if they discover that their teen is binging and purging or intentionally restricting food.

Orthodontia and Oral Health in Carlsbad
Braces can make proper brushing challenging. Toothbrushes and flossing devices that squirt water can help youth with braces clean their teeth and gums.

Sugar-Heavy Diet
If you visit any California high school during lunch hour, you will see that sugar-laden soda, juice, and energy drinks are becoming a beverage staple. While juice is definitely the healthiest choice of the three, heavy juice consumption can impair enamel just as effectively as a can of Coke. Water is the best drink for teeth as well as calcium-rich milk, which leads us to our next section.

Inadequate Calcium Intake
Some adolescents who drank milk daily as kids curtail their consumption when they start eating meals away from home. This is unfortunate because calcium is just as vital for youth as it is for younger children. For strong teeth and bones, encourage your teen to enjoy low-fat dairy products daily.

Sports Injuries
Athletic teenagers unfortunately also pose a threat to oral health in Carlsbad. Make sure your teen always wears a protective custom mouth guard when participating in any activity where a mouth injury can occur.

We encourage Carlsbad parents to be vigilant about twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings for their teens. Many oral issues arise unnoticed. To schedule an intensive examination and cleaning, call La Costa Dental Excellence at 760-633-3033. We offer services such as emergency dentistry, wisdom tooth extraction, and sedation dentistry.