Today we are seeing the onset of early periodontal disease in young people at an alarming rate. Teenagers, due to lifestyle, have to work extra hard on their oral hygiene. They need to be on a six month re-care visit with us. Let's face it- I don't know one teenager who just loves to floss! Flossing is extremely important and making sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day is a must. I haven't met a teenager or young adult yet that doesn't like sodas. My advice to help reduce the chances of cavities is to rinse with water after drinking them. This reduces the amount of sugar left on the teeth.
- What causes bad breath?
Most people at sometime have halitosis. The most common cause of bad breath is particles of food remaining in the mouth after meals. These tiny particles accumulate between the teeth, on the tongue, and around the gums. When they begin to interact with the bacteria in your mouth, the trapped food particles cause an unpleasant odor. Daily brushing is unable to clean between the teeth. Flossing is the only way to address this issue.
- Do I really need to wear my mouth guard when I play sports?
Mouth guards prevent an estimated 200,000 injuries in high school and college sports alone. Any child or adult who is involved in organized athletics and recreational activities should wear a mouth guard any time you have a chance of making contact with another player or hard surface. Please ask about our custom made mouth guards, they offer the best fit, interfere less with speech and breathing, they can accommodate orthodontics work and can be designed for a specific sport.