In addition to daily dental health care, there are many ways that
teens can protect their smiles.
1. Popular behaviors and bad habits that can damage teeth and health. One of the
toughest parts about being a teen is that you have to make choices that can affect your
health, your appearance and your future. Some are just little things, like how you wear
your hair, but some are decisions that can have a lasting effect on your life. We are going
to talk about a few that are directly related to the health of your teeth and mouth.
2. Trends and peer pressure. Why is it so hard sometimes to make smart choices?
[Comments may include: developing bad habits; the difficulty of going against trends or
peer pressure; not knowing what the smart choice is; sometimes bad choices are more
fun than good choices.] What are some choices that you may have to make — either
now or as you get older — that can affect your teeth and mouth? [mouth piercing/mouth
jewelry; smoking; chewing tobacco; eating too much junk food and drinking too much
soda pop; not visiting the dentist; not using a mouthguard]
3. Bad habits. Let’s talk first about getting rid of a bad habit that many of us have —
chewing on hard objects. Do you ever find yourself chewing on ice cubes, pencils and
pens? Chewing on hard objects — even hard candy — can chip or crack your teeth.
Your teeth are made to last a lifetime, but they are made for chewing food only! How
can you break a bad habit like chewing on hard objects? [Put notes reminding yourself
not to chew on things around your house and desk; ask friends to remind you if they
see you chewing on stuff; chew more sugarless gum.] It’s hard to break bad habits, but
you can do it! Recognizing that you have a bad habit is the first step.
Don’t chew on hard objects like pencils,
ice cubes or hard candy.
Ask friends and family to help you break bad habits.
