Let’s take a look at how puberty affects teen dental health
During puberty, your teen is going to go through a lot of changes – and some of those happen in the mouth.
So what do you need to know about oral health during puberty, and conditions such as puberty gingivitis? Let’s take a look.
Need to know about teen dental health more generally?
Check out our teen oral health resource guide.
Why does puberty impact teen dental health?
Effects of puberty on the body in general
Everyone goes through puberty at some stage, usually in their teens (although it can start earlier and end later, depending on the individual – there is no ‘right’ puberty!). From the outside, it’s going to look like there’s a lot of physical changes happening in your child, but there’s just as much going on at the chemical level, too.
Physical changes
Puberty is when a young person starts to mature into an adult, and come into physical sexual maturity. That is, they fully develop their sex organs and other related body parts or functions, among other changes.
For males this usually means the development of body hair (like beards), the deepening of their voice, breakouts in acne, and the growth of their genitals.
For females, they start to develop their breasts, grow more hair, and will usually get their first period.
In both girls and boys, there will also be accompanying growth spurts in both height and weight.
Chemical changes
All of these physical changes begin because the chemicals in a young person’s body start to change or develop. Hormones are the cause of puberty – hormones being chemicals that are like little signals for different body parts to take a particular action. Often they’re made in one part of the body and then travel around to different parts to spread their message.
In females, the hormones that kick start puberty are oestrogen (made primarily in the ovaries) and progesterone (made in both the ovaries and adrenal gland, which is in the kidneys). These two hormones signal the body to make its physical changes, and also they regulate a girl’s menstrual cycle.
In males, the primary puberty hormone is testosterone, which is made in the testes. Along with causing physical changes in a young male’s body, testosterone is also responsible for the production of sperm.
Young people will always have different levels of these hormones in their bodies, and boys can have ‘female’ hormones while girls can have ‘male’ hormones. Everyone is different!
So how does this affect my teen’s teeth?
Physical and sexual changes are all very well, but this is an article about teeth – so where do they come into play?
Higher blood flow
Shifting hormones in the body can increase a teen’s blood flow, leading to there being more blood in the gums, and a change in the way the gums react to bacteria. This sometimes leads to redness and swelling, even bleeding.
More bacteria
Studies are also suggesting that puberty can cause an increase in bacteria, called microflora, in the mouth.
One study, for example, noticed an increase in certain types of bacteria in males and females that was related to testes growth in males and breast development in females.
Bacteria in the mouth can lead to conditions such as gum disease, which must be treated properly and caught early to avoid long-term damage.
Learn more: Gum disease
Changing moods and self image
Puberty is also a time of significant brain development in young people. Parts of their brain are connecting and strengthening and others weakening as they transition from children into a fully fledged adult. This can bring with it a host of changes in mood, behaviours and personality (indeed one of the last parts of the brain to mature is the part related to decision making, which is one reason teens aren’t legally allowed to make certain decisions alone – they’re just not ready yet).
The changes they undergo can have a raft of emotional consequences that may impact or become impacted by their teeth. For example:
They’ll have a greater sense of self body image, and what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ depending on how the people around them act.
They may start to become sexually interested in others and therefore fixate on, again, things like body image – to be ‘attractive’.
They may start to act in a manner that is unhealthy, for example drinking or smoking, eating junk food, all of which can negatively impact oral health.
Some of these might be scary as a parent, but they're perfectly normal and can be managed with education and respect.
Common dental conditions caused by puberty
So we’ve talked about the chemicals, let’s look at what could happen to your teen more specifically with regards to their oral health during puberty.
Puberty gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common term for the early stages of gum disease, and when these early stages are caused by puberty we might call it puberty gingivitis.
This condition happens due to the increased blood flow, and sensitivity, in a teen’s mouth, as well as the increase in microflora. Irritation, swelling and bleeding may occur, each of which are a sign that gum disease is forming.
These symptoms are typically the result of food particles and bacteria (which forms plaque) sitting in the mouth. So, you can see that good oral habits will be a great way to manage this condition! We’ll talk about dental health tips below.
Menstrual gingivitis
The menstrual cycle in young girls may cause further dental health issues that boys don’t face.
Because of the changes in hormones in a young female's body just before their period, they may experience symptoms of gingivitis at this time - which then fades after their cycle ends. Symptoms here are the same as puberty gingivitis, but may also include growth of mouth sores, canker sores and swollen salivary glands.
Mouth development/shape
A teen’s adult teeth will typically have all fully erupted and grown by the time they turn 13 years old. At this point, you will have a good idea of how their mouth has developed, and if it’s grown correctly.
Should any problems result in their growth, for example an incorrect bite, crooked teeth, or something similar, your teen may require orthodontics (i.e. braces). This is so their teeth don’t develop further problems down the line – for example, it may be harder to clean certain crooked teeth and therefore increase the risk of gum disease in that area.
Self body image
As we mentioned, mood swings and an increased sense of self may lead your teen to become more interested - even fixated – on how they look. These feelings can also be exacerbated by the people around them, depending on what’s considered ‘attractive’ or not.
If your teen suffers a lack of confidence in their smile due to a dental health issue, it may impact their happiness and social development.
This is where good oral hygiene and fast dental treatment are important. The majority of dental problems are either preventable or treatable, which means it’s usually possible to help a teen correct their smile and build their willingness to use it!
Learn more: “Let’s take a look at how puberty affects teen dental health”
4 fast dental tips for teen health
1. Use fluoridated toothpaste
Most supermarket toothpastes contain a substance called fluoride. This is a very important chemical for the treatment and protection of teeth, as it is known to have a lot of health benefits when it comes to fighting bacteria and looking after enamel.
But, we know there’s a lot of debate about fluoride – which is why we wrote about it recently, to bust some of those myths. Learn more in our article “Busting the myths about fluoride in Northland’s water”.
2. Watch their diet
Chances are your teen is going to be experimenting with their diet, or rebelling against the diet you’ve set them. Both are perfectly natural, and normal.
The thing is, junk food, alcohol and smoking – all common substances for teens to investigate – are pretty much universally bad for their teeth. This is because substances like sugar feed bacteria in the mouth, acids can erode tooth enamel, and smoking typically causes all manner of problems.
You’re probably not going to be able to stop your teen from consuming some or all of these substances. But, you can talk to them about their dental habits and make sure they’re still looking after their teeth even if they do get into any of the above.
Even something as simple as rinsing their mouth with water or mouthwash after consuming junk is a great start.
3. Keep up good oral hygiene
All the classic dental hygiene tips are important for a teen during these sensitive years. A lot of dental problems, like serious gum disease, are quite preventable, and the best way to prevent an issue is to maintain good habits.
So, that means:
Brushing twice a day, for two minutes, with fluoridated toothpaste.
Flossing regularly, for example once a day.
Using an antibacterial mouthwash regularly, again once a day is good.
Brushing not just the fronts of the teeth but the backs, round the back of the molars, and down to the gum line.
Also brushing the tongue!
Learn more: “How to clean your gums and keep them healthy”
4. Go in for regular dental checkups
You won’t always be able to tell that a dental problem is forming, because they can be complex and hidden. So, a great way to stay on top of your teen’s dental health is to bring them in to their local dentist for a checkup at least once a year.
Your dentist will be able to examine their mouth carefully and perform x-rays to keep an eye out for problem areas, and then suggest treatment options based on their discoveries.
Not sure you can afford the dentist? Teens up to the age of 17 can typically access basic dental care (including a checkup and x-ray) for free!
Learn more: Our dental services for teens
Ready to book an appointment? Come and see us
Here at Kowhai Dental, we’re here for you and your teen and can offer a range of dental services to keep their mouth happy and healthy.
Come find us in Whangarei on Maunu Road! Book now by calling 09 430 0707 or booking an appointment online.