Dental disease, due to the lack of attention to correct Oral Hygiene is the most common disease in the 5 – 17 year age group.

Millions of productive school hours are lost annually due to dental illnesses.

Whilst the younger children, under a greater degree of parental control tend to have regular dental check ups, the teenager, always knowing ‘better than anyone else’, very seldom, if indeed at all, bothers to have any kind of dental check up

The teen receives very little instruction about Oral Hygiene, or how to eat a good wholesome diet, instead of indulging in the latest ‘junk food fad’.

The choice of eating habits of the teen play a big part in either encouraging or preventing early teeth decay.

Think About What You Eat.

Nibbling and eating snacks throughout the day, as is a teenagers habit, increases the onset of tooth decay. Many junk foods have a very high acid content which produces plaque. The plaque attacks the outer tooth enamel and encourages tooth decay.

WoW! The average acid content of a can of soda pop would act as a very good paint stripper, and teenagers tend to drink two and a half cans of soda each day, imagine the sugar content! And sugar is a great catalyst in speeding up tooth decay. Try a glass of milk instead!

Healthy Snacks and Balanced Diet.

n  Bread snacks and Cereals.

n  Grain foods with lots of fruit.

n  Vegetables and Meat Protein.

n  Fruit/Plain Yogurts and Cheeses.

After snacking, the teeth should be brushed, or chewing gum can assist in the cleaning of teeth and gums also.

Basic Tips For Teen Dental Care.

n  Avoid snacking on junk foods and soda pops.

n  Use a fluoride type toothpaste and brush your teeth at least twice every day.

n  Make a habit of Flossing between your teeth daily.

n  Eat a well balanced diet.

n  Pay a regular visit to a dentist, may be three times each year.

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