4 Common dental problems for Teenagers
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Teenage, also known as adolescence, is the transformation period from childhood to adulthood. Certain adult levels of hormones start to move around inside the body. So our bodies undergo various changes in this period like puberty, voice change, hair growth on the face, etc.
Such physical developments and hormonal secretions will impact the oral cavity as well. It causes some oral complications. In this blog post, our dental doctors have listed them. Keep reading.
1) Puberty Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that begins with gums’ microbial infection. When it occurs, gums become inflamed and start bleeding frequently. Teenagers are more likely to develop gingivitis due to the surge in hormone production during puberty.
As the bodies of both males and females undergo major hormonal changes in this stage, there will be a spike in steroid hormones like estrogen and testosterone. In such circumstances, blood flow starts to elevate. When there is an excessive blood flow to the gums, the gum tissues inflame and bleed. This condition is called puberty gingivitis.
Luckily, it is a preventable type of gingivitis with regular dental cleanings. Otherwise, the gum disease will progress and reach its advanced stage called “Periodontitis.”
2) Misaligned bites
Growth spurts and physical developments are common in adolescent age. Similarly, the jaw bone also goes through certain changes as the facial muscles grow. Normal growth promotes changes in the mouth with proper teeth alignment.
On particular occasions, jaw bone development paves the way for structural issues and alters the alignment of teeth. It causes bite issues that mandate orthodontic treatments to fix.
Hence we advise every parent to check if your teenage son or daughter encounters any difference in their bite and take them to your dentist. An oral evaluation with X-rays is required to detect the shift in teeth position.
3) Wisdom teeth eruption
Wisdom teeth, or third molar teeth, are the last set of molars that appear in the late teens or early 20s. The physical development of an individual will be completed to a great extent in this stage. Likely, jaw bone and skull growth are also mostly completed in our late adolescent stage.
Hence teeth erupt in this stage and do not have sufficient room inside the mouth, so they come through in the wrong position. Teeth that are not developed in the right position are more likely to develop infections as they cannot be cleaned easily. Consequently, bacteria can easily enter the tissues around the third molar teeth and grow.
It leads to pus formation, pain, irritations, and stiffness in the jaw. Meanwhile, wisdom teeth apply pressure to the neighboring teeth and increase the risk of teeth crowding.
The best solution to avert or eliminate the adverse effects associated with wisdom teeth is to extract them surgically.
4) Cavities
The increased level of hormone production plays a key role in microbiome modulation. When the microbial balance in the mouth is disrupted, harmful oral bacteria will grow. It is followed by bacterial invasion on teeth, gums, and other oral tissues.
Meanwhile, teenagers’ carefree attitude makes them follow a staple teenage diet that includes foods containing carbs and sugars. Everyone knows that excessive intake of sugar substances in diet will feed oral bacteria.
In simply, the imbalance in oral bacteria and taking low-carb, sugary foods increase the risk of developing cavities.
Bottom line
As the body of children goes through many changes in their teenage years, they notice several changes. Aside from the growth spurts, they notice mild physical discomforts and oral complications.
You might come across such dental dilemmas in your teenage. Even though they are common in adolescence, you should not neglect them.
Get a consultation from your dentist and follow their guidelines for your teenage kid’s oral well-being.
my child is 14 years old and has frequent toot cavities, we practice good oral hygiene yet I face this issue.
Thank you for reaching out! Frequent cavities in a 14-year-old, despite good oral hygiene, could be due to several factors like diet, genetics, or the enamel’s natural strength. It’s important to review their diet, especially sugary or acidic foods, and make sure they’re brushing properly, including using fluoride toothpaste. I recommend scheduling a visit for a thorough check-up to identify any underlying issues. Feel free to share your contact number, and we’ll be happy to assist you further!