Teen’s Dentistry

Keep Sugar to a Minimum
in Your Home

It’s not always possible to control what teenagers do away from home, but limiting sugary foods in the home is a good first step. The American Heart Association recommends consuming less than ten teaspoons of sugar a day, which is equivalent to about a 12-ounce can of soda. Unfortunately, the average child consumes 32 teaspoons of sugar per day. Your teen’s teeth are not the only thing sugar wreaks havoc on, it is also harmful to their overall health in the long run.

To help your teen reduce their sugar intake, we suggest the following:

• Replace sweetened beverages with water.
• Avoid serving processed foods.
• Keep healthy snacks on hand at all times.
• At every meal, include fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Prepare homemade meals, so you can control the amount of sugar your teen consumes.

You should keep your teen stocked
with ADA approved toothpaste,
floss, and antiseptic/fluoride mouthwash

Teens may not tell you if they run out, so it’s best to keep a stockpile where they have easy access to it. Remember, out of sight truly can mean out of mind for our teens.

Helping Master Their
Personal Care

It is no secret that the teen years are challenging. We want to partner with you to make sure your teen has a positive dental experience. Your efforts as a parent may seem futile at times, but perseverance will pay off. As a part of your teen’s bi-annual dental cleanings and checkups, we will reinforce dental hygiene education in a way that you and your teen will both be able to understand. We believe that teamwork makes the dream work!