{"id":696,"date":"2019-03-19T12:37:44","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T19:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theelitedental.com\/old\/?p=696"},"modified":"2019-03-19T12:46:46","modified_gmt":"2019-03-19T19:46:46","slug":"teen-dental-habit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theelitedental.com\/old\/teen-dental-habit\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Manage Your Teen’s Dental Health Habits – Elite Dental Care Tracy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Of all the health issues common to adolescents, dental health<\/strong> has not seemed to receive much attention. Tobacco use, sexually transmitted infections, and type II diabetes can manifest in the mouth, and many of these lesions mimic other illnesses. Typically, a young teen has about 28 off 32 permanent teeth, excluding the last 4 teeth also known by most as wisdom teeth erupt between the ages of 18 and 25.<\/p>\n

According to the American Dental Association (ADA)<\/strong><\/a> Mouth Healthy site, smoking and tobacco use cause stained teeth, bad breath and a diminished sense of taste. Over time, smoking can hinder your immune system, producing more concerning side-effects that include a reduced ability to recover after surgery. Because of this, smoking is also one of the most significant risk factors associated with gum or periodontal disease, which causes inflammation around the tooth. This irritation can affect the bone and other supporting structures, and its advanced stages can result in tooth loss.<\/p>\n

You might not think about it but oral sex is common to sexually active adults of all ages and orientations. This can result in the disease taking hold in the tissues surrounding the contact area, and some infections are more likely to affect the mouth than others. The most common STDs of the mouth are herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. The main method of transmitting STDs of the mouth is through contact with bodily fluids. In most cases, the presence of oral sores causes fluids from an infected partner’s genitals to enter the body, and a localized infection develops. Diseases can also be transmitted from the mouth of an infected person to the genitals of his or her partner. The only way to prevent yourself from contracting an oral STD is to practice safe sex, including safe oral sex.<\/p>\n

Moreover, oral piercings can cause tooth and gum erosion along with inflammation, infections or allergic reactions if surgical stainless steel jewelry isn\u2019t used or if the piercing isn\u2019t properly cared for. Eating disorders, which appear most often during adolescence, can also cause tooth enamel erosion, as well as cavities, sensitive teeth, mouth infections, and dry mouth.<\/p>\n

The California Adolescent Health Collaborative (AHC)<\/strong> document, Investing in Adolescent Health: A Social Imperative for California\u2019s Future outlines a wide range of recommendations to improve adolescent oral health in California. These strategies include:<\/p>\n