Tips for Getting Teenagers and Young Adults to Brush More
Posted on 5/10/2021 by Elmwood Dental Group
Teens and young adults are known for having poor oral hygiene because they lack a regular brushing and flossing routine. Teens are busy, and may find many things more important than brushing their teeth. This may be especially true because teenagers and young adults typically have fairly healthy teeth. Parents and caregivers sometimes struggle getting their teens and young adults to find importance in oral hygiene.
Strategies for Teens and Young Adults
The teenage years are crucial for development of healthy oral hygiene habits. If teens do not develop healthy oral hygiene skills, it may be more likely that they lack healthy oral hygiene throughout the rest of their lives as well. There are some ways that you can help your teens limit the risk to oral health problems, gum disease, and tooth decay. A great first step to helping teens create healthy habits, is setting a good example. If you brush your teeth twice a day, it is more likely than your teens will learn how important it is to brush twice a day.
Making teeth brushing as easy as possible is another helpful tip. This limits as many excises and reasons to avoid brushing teeth as possible. Making it fun and acceptable may be a great way to encourage teenagers to brush their teeth. It is no secret that teens love high-tech gadgets. The dental industry has been evolving toothbrushes and other tools to fit the generational desires and to become more effective. Getting a high-tech toothbrush or allowing your teen to pick out their own safe and approved dental tools may help them get interested in better oral hygiene.
It is always helpful to share information with your teenagers about the risks of not engaging in proper oral hygiene. Though they may not see the benefits right away, showing them the importance is all they ways you can may be crucial. If you have questions about how to engage your teen in healthy oral hygiene techniques, please call our office.