Teen Dental Health Care In Baltimore

Teens go through many changes during this time in their lives, emotionally and psychically, and their mouths are no exception. Developing healthy hygiene habits are essential during this time because the choices we make in our teen years can have a huge impact on us as adults. 

Unfortunately, many teens don't care for their teeth the way they should. Recent studies show that 80% of tooth decay cases in the United States are found in teenagers. Given those statistics, it's no surprise that over 80% of teenagers have cavities by age 17. This is a time when many teens start to drink a lot of soda and consume excessive amounts of sweets. Sodas contain a ton of sugar, approximately 9 to 12 teaspoons just in a single 12 ounce can. Soda is also very acidic, which damages the teeth's enamel, this includes diet soda. Excessive consumption of the fizzy drink paired with poor hygiene habits lead to an increased amount of tooth decay in teens.

In addition to cutting back on the sugary drinks, Delta Dental offers a few suggestions to keep your teen's smile healthy:

• Brush teeth at least twice a day for two minutes (about the length of a favorite song) and floss at least once daily
• Visit a dentist regularly for professional cleanings and preventive assessments
• Talk to a dentist about dental sealants to protect against cavities 
• Include a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste in your gym bag, backpack or locker for use after meals or on-the-go 
• Choose nutritious snacks and drinks that contain less sugar. Keep in mind it's not just what you put in your mouth that is important, but also how often you are snacking. Each time you eat or drink anything with sugar, it interacts with 
the bacteria in your mouth, bathing your teeth in acid for about 20 minutes 
• Drink water after eating meals and snacks to clean the teeth of bacteria and food 
• Avoid tobacco products and mouth jewelry or consider switching to non-metal jewelry 
• Wear a mouth guard during sports activities 
• If you have an eating disorder, tell your dentist so they can help you protect your teeth 
• Choose mints or gum with xylitol, a natural cavity-fighting sweetener, as the first ingredient 
• Check with your dentist before using tooth-whitening products 

Contact Baltimore Dentist Dr. Robert A. Jacobson today at 410-665-5205 for your teen's check up.

Your Smile's Appearance Is Just As Important As Its Health

Over the last decade, cosmetic dentistry has been rapidly becoming a popular option in many people's lives. With services including bleaching, bonding, veneers, and even tooth reshaping, it has become clear that the appearance of one's own teeth are just as important as their actual health.

Bleaching for instance, has many over-the-counter alternatives to help get your teeth to that desired whiteness. Despite having so many options, it is still recommended and accepted as the quickest, safest, and most effective way to bleach one's own teeth is to go through an actual professional cosmetic dentist, something that we here at the office of Dr. Jacobson are well experienced in.

In addition to teeth whitening, many times people are in need of veneers. Veneers are helpful in two ways, the first being the ability to reshape a tooth, or teeth, to fill in gaps and create a more aesthetically pleasing smile. In cases of isolated Microdontia, or where the teeth appear smaller than normal, veneers have become invaluable in restoring the teeth to average size and placement.

The second function of veneers is to help protect a tooth's surface that has suffered trauma by wrapping the area in a porcelain laminate and bonding it to the tooth in trouble. This prevents further damage to the tooth and helps maintain the health and appearance of your mouth. If you believe that veneers might be a viable option to help you, contact our office to set up an appointment right away.

Everyday, more and more options become available to the public in keeping your teeth and smile healthy. Here at the office of Dr. Jacobson, we are constantly updating our processes and procedures in order to give you the best solution to your needs, whether they be cosmetic or not.

Contact our office today if you are in need of cosmetic dentistry.

Dr. Robert A. Jacobson, DDS
8109 Harford Road, Suite 3
Parkville, Maryland 21234
Ph 410-665-5205
Fx 410-665-5208
baltobestdds@yahoo.com
www.affordable-dentistry.com