It takes less than a month for cavities to form! Brushing and flossing are particularly important for teens because hormonal changes can increase gum inflammation and trap plaque on teeth, making them more prone to cavities. If your teen has braces, the food that gets caught can also trigger cavities.
For these reasons, it’s crucial to motivate your teen to brush her teeth regularly. One way that might stick with her is if you suggest that her breath will smell bad if she doesn’t brush. You can also help her by getting products that make brushing painless, like an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer or a mouthwash that turns plaque buildup blue, making it easier to brush off.
But perhaps the most convincing case for brushing well: Teens already have their adult teeth, and those teeth are meant to last them a lifetime.
