Taking care of your teeth and gums is the best investment you can make in yourself. Imagine trying to make a good impression if you suffer from bad breath, bleeding gums, tartar build up or you cannot eat hot or cold foods due to sensitive teeth !!

Adolescents tend to eat large quantities of sugary snacks and consume more soft drinks than any other age group. It is therefore especially important to have a PREVENTIVE plan in place, including brushing and flossing regularly. It can be easy to make excuses and put this off for ‘that tomorrow’ which never comes. Most teenagers have irregular school and university schedules and lead a hectic lifestyle. Setting aside a few minutes time each day to brush and floss is critical. A lack of brushing may lead to Periodontal ( gum ) Disease, tooth decay, the need for extraction and many other serious problems.

Our top preventive care tips for teens are:

• Brush your teeth at least twice each day (after breakfast and after dinner).
• Brush with a soft round bristle toothbrush
• Place your toothbrush where the gum meets the tooth, at a 45 degree angle (enabling you to clean under the gum line). Bacteria accumulate along the tooth at the gum line, so it is essential to focus on this area.
• Brush your gums very gently. (The correct brushing motion is a circular massaging technique along the gum line rather than vigorous brushing back and forth. Vigorous brushing can injure your gums.)
• Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue which will remove additional bacteria and freshen your breath.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or after an illness, whichever comes first.
• Use toothpaste with added fluoride for cavity protection.
• Chew sugar free gum for 5 – 7 minutes after eating sugary or sticky foods.

» Click here to read our FAQ’s for Adolescents

» Click here to read about the Importance of Flossing

So, were you ever shown how to brush and floss? Don’t worry, we’ll train you.

To be enrolled in our PREVENTIVE program and be reassured that you will keep your teeth for life, do give our Practice Manager a call on (09) 6315416 or click here to email us for an initial consultation visit. You will be required to fill in a patient registration form which will facilitate your first visit to us.

…………………… it is great to see our teenagers Smile.