Dr. Kami Hoss Discusses How Adolescents Should Take Care of Their Teeth

A lot of teenagers are too impatient to take care of proper dental hygiene. Hence, even if they reach their adolescence, parents should try to keep reminding them the need of dental care from time to time. Experienced dentists like Dr. Kami Hoss says that most important part of dental care happens at home. Flossing and brushing, alongside regular dental checkups are imperative to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. A teenager needs to go for dental check-ups every 6-12 months.

Teenagers are prone to having a lot of sugary drinks and sweets, which gives rise to cavities. In order to prevent cavities, one needs to be proactive about removing plaque, which is a transparent layer of bacteria coating the teeth. The best way to do so would be by brushing the teeth twice on a daily basis, and flossing at least once a day.  Brushing the teeth would also stimulate the gums, thereby helping teens to and prevent gum disease.  Toothpaste ideally contains certain detergents, abrasives and foaming agents. The most common active ingredient in toothpaste is fluoride and it significantly contributes to preventing cavities. Hence, people must always try to make sure that their toothpaste features fluoride.

Almost one out of 10 people have the tendency to accumulate tartar quick. Tartar basically is plague in a hardened form that is difficult to remove and is damaging for the teeth. Usage of anti-tartar mouthwashes and toothpastes, along with spending extra time brushing teeth near the salivary glands can help in slowing down the development of new tartar. In case teenagers have teeth that are sensitive to pressure, cold and heat, it is better for them to try out special toothpastes that are meant for sensitive teeth. If the problem still persists, then it is better to visit a dentist like Dr. Kami Hoss and tell them about the sensitivity issues, so that they can recommend solutions to manage the problem. At times, sensitivity can be an indication of a serious issue like nerve inflammation or cavity. 

A lot of teenagers are conscious about their appearance and hence use teeth whitening toothpaste. While there is no harm in using such toothpaste as long as they contain fluoride and certain ingredients that can fight plaque and tartar, many of them do not feature much in the way of whitening ingredients. Hence, one may not notice any noticeable change in the appearance of their teeth even after using such toothpaste. One must always be careful while purchasing any over-the-counter teeth whitening products. There are certain bleaching agents that might end up damaging the mouth and gums of a person. Eating sugar can also cause tooth decay. Hence, one must be careful about how much sugar they are consuming and in what manner to keep their teeth healthy. Detailed insights into caring for teeth and gums can be found online.