The best way for teenagers to have an attractive and healthy smile is to have good oral hygiene from a child. However, teenagers need to keep their healthy smile bright by following these guidelines:

	Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. (Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease).
	Floss daily! This helps to stop plaque between teeth and the gum line. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into a hard yellow build-up!
	Limit sugar and starchy foods! This includes sticky snacks unfortunately.
	Chew dental gum after meals.
	Always have regular visits to the dentist!

Special dental problems
There are dental problems, which occur during the teen years. Many teenagers dread them but its better to know about the issues so that you can make the best decision.

Orthodontics
There are more and more teens and adults getting braces. Braces are required to fix crooked or crowded teeth or poor jaw alignment. You can learn more about braces in our Dental Treatments section

Smoking
Smoking not only stains your teeth but it also gives you bad breath. It also stains the tarter build up on your teeth. It also increases the risk of oral cancer and gum disease.

Oral Piercings
Oral piercing can cause problems such as infections, uncontrollable bleeding and nerve damage. You can also choke on any rings or studs which come loose, and the metal jewellery can also chip or crack teeth and damage your gums.

Risks from oral piercings include:

	Infection - Our mouths contain millions of bacteria, which can lead to infection after an oral piercing.
	Prolonged bleeding - If a blood vessel is punctured by the needle during piercing, the result can be difficult-to-control bleeding and serious blood loss.
	Pain and swelling - Pain and swelling are common symptoms of oral piercings. In extreme cases, a severely swollen tongue can actually close off the airway and restrict breathing.
	Chipped or cracked teeth - Contact with oral jewellery can fracture teeth. Teeth that have restorations, such as crowns or caps, can also be damaged if the jewellery strikes them.
	Injury to the gums - Not only can metal jewellery injure soft gum tissue, it can cause the gums to recede. In addition to looking unattractive, recessed gums leave your tooth root more vulnerable to decay and periodontal disease.
	Interference with normal oral function - Jewellery in the mouth can cause excessive saliva flow, impede your ability to pronounce words correctly, and cause problems with chewing and swallowing.
	Blood-borne diseases - Oral piercings have been identified by the National Institutes of Health as a possible factor in transmitting hepatitis B, C, D and G.
	Endocarditis - Oral piercing carries a risk of endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart valves or tissues. The wound created during oral piercing provides an opportunity for oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream, where they can travel to the heart.

If you're considering oral piercing, you should seek advice from your dentist as piercing your tongue, lips or cheek involves greater health risks than piercing your ears.

To locate a dentist near you - click here.