Food debris left on your teeth
encourages bacteria growth
that eats away at enamel and
causes cavities. This is why it’s
important to have a steady, consistent oral
health routine. The American Dental Association
(ADA) recommends teens brush twice per day,
for two minutes at a time, and oss once per day to
clean debris from the hard-to-reach areas of your
teeth. A proper oral health routine is the best way to
keep a mouth clean and prevents future issues.
A healthy diet is critical to getting a healthy mouth.
Mouth-healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts and
calcium-rich items can all strengthen teeth. When
buying fruit and vegetables, make sure that you purchase
them in their full-forms, and that you don’t buy fruit packaged
in sugary syrup. Try adding brous vegetables like celery,
spinach or carrots to your diet, since brous food naturally
s scrubs teeth clean of food debris and combats bad
bacteria buildup.
Water is a fantastic tool in the ght against bad
bacteria and tooth decay. Water is not acidic and does
not harm teeth at all. In fact, it improves saliva production, which naturally
cleans teeth of debris and restores the mouth back to a healthy ph balance.
Try giving your child more water instead of sugary drinks to help keep their teeth
strong and healthy. If they must have juice or a sweeter drink, water it down so
that they aren’t consuming too much sugar at one time.
Drink
more
water
Follow
an oral
health
routine
Eat a
healthy
diet
1
2
3
© 2020 LIBERTY Dental Plan 5-Healthy-Habits-Eng RN 01 2020
www.libertydentalplan.com
1 Making members shine, one smile at a time
™
5 Healthy Habits
for Teens
LIBERTY cares about more than just teeth!
4
5
One of the best ways to keep your oral health in order is by
scheduling an appointment with your dental ofce every six
months for a routine oral checkup and cleaning. The holidays
are the perfect time for an appointment since most teens have an
extended break from school.
Visit your dentist 2x a year
It can be difcult to know when to
replace your toothbrush with a new
one. There are some signs that indicate
it’s time for a change. If your toothbrush
bristles
are frayed, or pluming outward,
then
it’s time for a new toothbrush. If you recently had
an
illness, then it’s best to replace your toothbrush to
prevent the spread of unhealthy bacteria. Finally,
a good rule of thumb to follow is to replace your
toothbrush
after 3
months of use.
Replace your toothbrush every 3 months
Not good
Good
Stay
healthy all
year
Replace
worn out
toothbrush
© 2020 LIBERTY Dental Plan 5-Healthy-Habits-Eng RN 01 2020
www.libertydentalplan.com
2 Making members shine, one smile at a time
™
