All of these changes can make teens feel ashamed or embarrassed of themselves, making them make poor choices in life just to deal with the ill feelings that they have.
In order to perk up your teen's self-esteem, you need to help him look and feel his best. While you cannot get inside his head, you can help him make the right choices regarding nutrition and dental are, both of which have an impact on his overall wellbeing.
Proper Nutrition
Greasy French fries, candy bars, and excessive pasta will wreak havoc on your teen's skin, weight, and teeth. He will have pimples, gain weight like never before, and have tooth decay. All of these issues contribute to his faltering self-esteem. Try to encourage your teen to make healthy choices.
This does not mean that he cannot ever have a candy bar or French fries, but they should not be part of his normal diet. Instead, encourage the consumption of healthy fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. Each of the nutrients found in these foods will help to keep everything balanced and more importantly, keep tooth decay away.
Keep Dental appointments
Teens are busy - but that does not mean that dental checkups should go by the wayside. Now more than ever, they are vital to their wellbeing. We will discuss the importance of oral hygiene not only to prevent cavities, but to prevent gum disease, which could cause shifting teeth - yet another contribution to poor self-esteem.
Brushing and flossing become an even more important component of your child's life as he hits the teenage years. We will talk to him about it and show him the proper way to floss in order to ensure that he is doing everything possible to fight gum disease, because even teens are prone to this illness.
Talk to us About Treatments
If your teen is unhappy with his smile, talk to us about it. Maybe he thinks his teeth are crooked or his enamel is not white enough. There are many ways that we can help him get the smile he wants that will help to build up his self-esteem.
Whether we send him on for specialist treatment or provide simple cosmetic procedures right in the office, we will help him decide what is right for his situation right now. Remember that teens are still growing, so things will change, which is why a pediatric dentist is essential for your child's dental care as we understand the concerns that teens face today.
The most important thing to do is be there for your teen. Faltering self-esteem can affect his emotions, school work, and success later in life. Don't let him fall prey to poor self-esteem. Instead, give him the tools necessary to bring himself back up.
You would be surprised what a simple visit to our office could do. Clean teeth, a solution for problems in his mouth, and the ability to fight bad breath can make a teen feel like he is in control of his life during a time when so much seems out of control.
Don't let your teen suffer from the ill feelings that come along with the tumultuous teen years - instead, be his eyes and ears and help him enter adulthood with ease.
If your teen needs an appointment for a dental checkup, contact us us today.
