Primary Dental Issues Faced by Teenagers

Consistent brushing, flossing, and regulating consumption of sweets and sugary drinks are fundamental to good dental care, regardless of age. However, there are certain dental issues that particularly affect teenagers and adolescents.

Wisdom Teeth Emergence

The later teenage years mark the emergence of wisdom teeth, often leading to discomfort and potential complications. Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 21, and frequently, there is inadequate space for them to fully develop. This lack of space can lead to various complications such as pain, infection, tooth decay, gum disease, and damage to the neighboring teeth. Dentists often suggest extraction of these teeth to circumvent future issues or as part of orthodontic treatment plans. If you need professional advice regarding this, a Castle Hill Dentist would be of help.

What Teenagers Should Know for Oral Health

During adolescence, individuals often experience problematic wisdom teeth, get braces, start using tobacco, get oral piercings, and become more engaged in sports.

Braces and Oral Care

Adolescence is often the period when children get braces, necessitating extra care for maintaining oral health. It is essential to strictly adhere to the dentist’s and hygienist’s instructions and keep up with all your appointments. Dentists often suggest avoiding foods that could damage or displace the wires, such as nuts, popcorn, or sticky food items.

Effects of Smoking on Oral Health

Smoking is detrimental to the entire body, not just the mouth. It causes bad breath and contributes to heart and lung diseases, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Tobacco also stains teeth and the tongue, impairs taste and smell senses, and slows healing after dental procedures.

Oral Piercings and Dental Health

Despite their perceived coolness, oral piercings and tongue splitting can have serious health risks. The mouth hosts millions of bacteria, making piercings and tongue splitting susceptible to infections that could lead to severe complications such as hepatitis or endocarditis. In-mouth jewelry can also damage tooth enamel and cause chipping or breaking of teeth.

Sports and Dental Safety

Wearing a mouth guard during sports, including skateboarding or snowboarding, is crucial. Mouth guards protect your teeth from being broken or knocked out, and cushion blows that could harm the lips, face, and jaw. Your dentist can recommend the best mouth guard for you.

Eating Disorders, Drug Addictions, and Oral Health

Teenagers may also confront issues like eating disorders and drug addictions, which can manifest early signs in the mouth. If such concerns arise, it’s advisable to consult your dentist.

Repeated vomiting, a symptom of certain eating disorders, erodes tooth enamel, particularly on the inside of the teeth. “Meth Mouth”, a term for the stained, rotting, and crumbling teeth associated with methamphetamine use, occurs much more rapidly than similar symptoms from poor oral hygiene. Other substance use and addictions can contribute to various oral health issues, including teeth grinding, dry mouth, neglecting oral health, tooth loss, and gum disease.

Dentists often serve as the first adults to notice oral symptoms of eating disorders and addictions. It is crucial for parents to ensure regular dental examinations for teenagers and to maintain open communication about their oral health.

Prevention: The Best Practice

The best defense against tooth decay and gum disease is prevention, which includes good oral hygiene habits and proper nutrition. Dentists use examinations, dental imaging, and study models to analyze your oral health and needs. They utilize modern dental science and technology to enhance and maintain oral health and vibrant smiles for the entire family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of treatments aren’t considered holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person as a healing approach, rather than just the symptoms. It aids in the recovery of illness by promoting good health and preventing future ones.

Holistic medicine uses natural remedies, such as herbs, homeopathy and acupuncture, instead of surgery and drugs.

Holistic medicine includes lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, massage, and bodywork techniques.

Holistic medicine is sometimes called integrative medicine. This refers to the way that holistic medicine integrates all aspects (physical, mental and spiritual) into one comprehensive care plan.

Holistic medicine emphasizes early detection and prevention of disease, and promotes healthy lifestyles.

Holistic doctors believe there is no one cause for every condition. Holistic doctors instead look at the whole person, including genetic factors and environmental influences, lifestyle choices, personal habits, and lifestyle choices.

Holistic practitioners focus more on the mind, emotions, and spirit than on the body alone.

Holistic physicians work closely alongside their patients to determine the best treatment for their needs.

What are holistic medicines’ advantages over conventional medicine?

Holistic medicines have been used for thousands of years by many cultures and religions worldwide. They were developed based on ancient knowledge and experience.

These medicines are safe and effective. They also come at a reasonable price. Side effects of these medicines are very low compared to pharmaceutical drugs.

They can also improve your health and wellbeing.

They can prevent disease and promote your overall well-being.

They may even cure diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, etc.

There are hundreds of traditional medicines in the world. Each has its own benefits.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the world’s population still relies on traditional treatment methods for their injuries and illnesses.

According to some reports, about half a million people depend on traditional herbal remedies for their primary healthcare.

The global market in complementary therapies is expected to reach $22.2 Billion by 2020.

People are increasingly looking for alternative medical options to avoid any side effects that may be associated with traditional treatments.

Many people turn to complementary therapies when they do not respond to other treatment options. They may also try them before resorting to surgery or medication.

There are many reasons people choose complementary therapies.

To improve quality of our lives
To reduce stress levels
For relaxation
To ease your pain
To enhance immunity
Supportive services for dealing with serious diseases
To boost energy
To control weight
To maintain good nutrition
To improve sleep patterns
To manage chronic conditions

Who uses holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine refers to health care treating the whole person rather than treating specific symptoms. It addresses both the mental as well as physical aspects of well being.

Holistic medicine is acupuncture as well massage therapy, chiropractic, nutritional counseling, Yoga, and other complementary therapies.

Holistic medicine is for people who have been diagnosed as having cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and depression.

Who uses alternative medicine?

Alternative medicine is often used for many reasons.

They would prefer to avoid any surgery or harmful drugs.
They believe natural remedies are more effective.
They prefer non-invasive treatments.
They want to spend less.
They feel safer using natural products.
They desire more control over their healthcare decisions.
They are willing to take responsibility and be responsible for their own health.
They want a healthier world.
They desire less stress in the lives of others.
They want more freedom when it comes to choosing their doctors or their healthcare plans.
They want their children to receive a better education.
They want healthy food and good nutrition for their family.
They are looking for safe and effective medication.

Statistics

According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

What is it that a holistic doctor does that a conventional doctor doesn’t do?

A holistic doctor is able to provide more services than traditional doctors, such as nutritionists, massage therapists and naturopaths.

Holistic doctors look at patients holistically. It is a way to address the root cause of health issues, not just the symptoms. They can identify the root causes of illness and take preventative and long-term measures to ensure their health. Holistic doctors may use alternative medicine, including essential oils and herbs. They also provide dietary advice and nutritional supplements to support healthy living.

A holistic doctor can also offer therapies like reflexology (reiki), shiatsu (yoga), hypnotherapy, craniosacral and other therapies.

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If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.

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By: Dick Benson
Title: Primary Dental Issues Faced by Teenagers
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/conditions/oral-health/top-dental-concerns-for-teens/
Published Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2023 14:10:14 +0000