Kimberley Lloyd Rees discusses the specific challenges faced.
Adolescents undergo a wide variety of changes to their oral health throughout this formative stretch of their lives. Physical growth and changing hormones have their own immense effects, sometimes prompting orthodontic treatment. However, their lifestyle changes pose their own problems – from what they eat to the potential introduction of tobacco and alcohol products. Clinicians can help to guide teenage patients to an understanding of how best to take care of their oral health as they experience a period of extreme change.
A diet for a sweet tooth
A person’s teenage years often see dramatic differences in their diet; they may require an increased caloric intake as a result of physical growth and increased sporting activity. Part-time work or pocket money opens up possibilities for teenagers to take control of their diet, however, this can lead to some unhealthy choices.
The food teenage patients choose to have often leads to an increase in added sugars. One study found that UK teens aged 11-18 consumed 11 per cent of their total energy intake through added sugars alone, comparatively higher than the seven per cent for those over 19. Daily sugar intakes are increasingly partially comprised of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), such as fizzy drinks, fruit juices, sports and energy drinks, and sweetened coffees and teas. Almost two-thirds of young people under 19 consume at least one SSB on a given day, and of these, 10 per cent consume three or more.
Frequent consumption of added sugars and SSB consistently correlates with the increased presence of dental caries among adolescents. A high volume of sugar in a diet can increase plaque growth, leading to tooth decay, which if left untreated, can bring about immense pain and potentially tooth loss. Plaque accumulation can also encourage the development of gingivitis, again afflicting patients with worsened oral health and damaging their dental appearance in the long term.
Smoking among young people
Dietary choices are not the only change to a lifestyle that teenagers commonly undergo. Adolescent years are often the time when patients are introduced to smoking. In 2014, it was found that over three-quarters of young adult smokers began their harmful habit before they turned 18.
Social influence from peers or online material could encourage a young person to start smoking. The NHS reported in 2021 that one in four 15-year-old school pupils had smoked at least once, though this was a decrease of 31 per cent in 2018. Around three per cent of all students were deemed ‘current smokers’, following another decline from previous years.
Whilst the statistics are improving, continuing efforts to eliminate adolescent smoking is pivotal in protecting their oral health over a lifetime. The effects of smoking on oral health are well documented, however, the most relevant for teenagers include an increased likelihood of periodontal disease due to an alteration of the oral mucosa’s inflammatory response. There are increased associations with dental caries and oral pain, with the potential development of tooth loss. A patient’s general health is also put in danger by the well-known, serious link between smoking tobacco products and developing cancer.
Smoking tobacco products can also cause teeth staining and bad breath. Teenagers may resonate with these reasons more when considering the need for improved oral care, as they could have a larger effect on their social interactions and acceptance.
Education from a clinician
Preventing issues caused by lifestyle choices is not necessarily easy, but conversations between a clinician and teenage patient could encourage beneficial habits. If teenage smokers will not completely quit, helping them maintain their oral health is of paramount importance. Understanding what will effectively motivate a teenager is important and can aid communication. An adolescent understanding of ‘healthy’ oral hygiene is often misconstrued as simply good-looking, with an emphasis on attractiveness over the well-being of their teeth and gingiva. Using this as a primary motivator may see an increase in action and enhanced patient self-care.
It is vital to help teenagers understand how their dietary or lifestyle choices, especially smoking, affect their oral health and smile aesthetics. Increasing knowledge among adolescents of the adverse general and oral health effects of tobacco use has proved to be an effective tool in preventing teenage smoking.
Adolescents need an effective oral hygiene routine to remove plaque caused by added sugars and potential smoking, should they be cutting down on their tobacco use or stopping completely. Regular tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush is commonly understood to be a key factor in maintaining great oral health.
Promoting the effectiveness of interdental brushes as part of a routine to minimise plaque build-up is also advantageous, and daily use can help adolescents who are susceptible to dental caries or periodontal disease.
To remove plaque effectively, consider the Flexi range of interdental brushes from Tandex for your patients. In a range of 11 different sizes, Flexi interdental brushes can be suitable for patients in a variety of stages of dental health, with options that remove plaque from the smallest and largest of gaps. The flexible handle and brush reach the spaces a toothbrush can’t, and when paired with Prevent Gel it can also have an antibacterial effect.
Equipping teenagers with the knowledge of how oral hygiene routines and their lifestyle choices can affect their oral health is pivotal to establishing proper care and confidence for a lifetime.
References available on request