How to Help Teens Build Healthy Dental Habits
Reviewed by Dr. David Sentelle, DMD, PhD, MPH
Between school, sports, and a busy social calendar, teenagers often have little time to think about oral health. Yet these years are a critical stage for building habits that will last a lifetime. From braces to wisdom teeth, teens face new challenges that require practical strategies and consistent support. This blog shares easy ways to help your teen keep their smile healthy, even when life gets hectic.
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Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
Simple routines and smart choices, like brushing, flossing, and limiting sugary snacks, help teens protect their teeth now and build healthy habits for life.
We Know Cleaning Teeth With Braces Can Be a Challenge
Braces do important work, but they make brushing and flossing more difficult. Food can easily get trapped around brackets and wires, leading to white spots, gum irritation, or cavities if not cleaned properly.
Here are a few practical tips:
- Angle the toothbrush: Brush above, below, and around the brackets, not just across them.
- Use special tools: Floss threaders and water flossers make cleaning between teeth easier.
- Take enough time: Brush for two minutes, twice a day.
Learning how to clean the teeth with braces takes patience, but with the right tools and a steady routine, your teen can keep their smile on track.
Help Your Teen Maintain Oral Health
Set your teen up for success. If they have braces or aligners, make sure they have the tools they need on hand.
Here is a list of items that should always be in their bathroom drawer:
- Soft-bristled toothbrush or electric toothbrush (replace toothbrushes every 3 months)
- Waxed floss and floss threaders
- Water flosser (optional but very helpful if they have braces)
- Fluoride or hydroxyapatite toothpaste
- Cleaning tabs for aligners
Remind them that they should floss at least once a day and brush twice a day for two minutes each time. If they neglect their oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment, this will increase their chances of getting a cavity and can even cause white spots to develop on their teeth.
If your teen has clear aligners, it’s also helpful to make sure they have an extra case to hold their aligners when not in use. A travel toothbrush, toothpaste and floss is also helpful so they can brush after meals, before putting their aligners back in.
Everyday Habits That Affect Oral Health
Brushing and flossing are important, but what your teen eats and drinks each day also affects their oral health. Sports and energy drinks are a common choice, yet they combine high sugar with high acidity, two things that quickly wear down enamel and increase the risk of cavities.
Frequent snacking can have a similar effect. Chips, candy, and sticky foods often get caught between teeth or around braces, giving bacteria more fuel to cause decay.
Encourage your teen to keep water as their main drink and to enjoy sweets and snacks in moderation rather than constantly throughout the day. Rinsing with water afterward and saving treats for mealtimes are simple habits that go a long way toward protecting their smile.
| 📌 A Word on Wisdom Teeth Wisdom teeth often start to appear in the late teen years, and most of them will need to be removed. They rarely have enough space to grow in correctly, which can lead to crowding, pain, or infection. Pediatric dentists begin monitoring their development with x-rays in the early teen years, so if removal is needed, it can be planned at the right time. |
Helping Teens Build Lifelong Healthy Habits
The habits your teen builds today will shape their oral health for years to come. With consistent brushing, smart choices about food and drinks, and regular dental visits, they can keep their smile strong well into adulthood.
If your teen is due for a check-up or needs support with braces, aligners, or daily care, our team is here to help.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in McKinney, TX, call (214) 436-5555, request an appointment online or visit us at 5323 W University Dr #100, McKinney, Texas.
📍Other locations
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Frisco, TX
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Prosper, TX
FAQs About Teen Dental Care
A soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush works best. Both can clean effectively around brackets and wires without damaging them.
Clear aligners should be brushed at least twice a day. Cleaning tablets made for aligners can also be used a few times a week to keep them clear and odor-free.
“You don’t know what you don’t know” rings true here. Educate your teen about the effects of poor oral hygiene. If they understand what can happen if they don’t brush and floss, they are more likely to stick to a good routine. It can also be helpful to explain the cost of dental care and why prevention is so important. If they understand the financial implications, they will be more likely to take it seriously.
Pediatric dentists care for children from infancy through the teen years. They are trained to handle the unique dental needs that come with braces, busy schedules, and the transition to adult teeth. Many families find it helpful to keep their teen with a pediatric dentist until around age 18, when they are ready to move on to a general dentist.
If you are in McKinney, TX or the surrounding area, Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry provides comprehensive dental care for teens. With locations in McKinney, Frisco, and Prosper, our team makes it convenient for families to get the support their teens need for braces, aligners, healthy habits, and routine check-ups.