Dirty Mouth?! Clean it up!

This month in the School Newspaper we did a health issue where all of our articles related to staying healthy. My job became really easy after that was decided, seeing as my dad is a successful dentist. I got all of my facts directly from my dad Dr. Robert Young D.D.S. and I KNOW he is a reliable source.


Dirty Mouth? Clean it up!
By: Megan Young

There was an elderly man and woman settling down for bed, when the man turns to his wife and smiles down at her. “Darling” he starts, “Your teeth remind me of the stars.” His wife, touched by the comment, happily replies “Because they gleam and sparkle?” she ask, scooting closer to him. The old man laughs “Heavens no!” he exclaims “Because they come out at night.”

People who do not take proper care of their teeth are just creating numerous problems for yourself that could greatly impact you. A little known fact, tooth decay is one of the most common of all disorders, second only to the common cold. I spoke with local Dentist Dr. Robert Young D.D.S for his advice for teens that do not take care of their teeth. He believes it is very simple to maintain a clean mouth, and have a beautiful smile, all it takes is a small effort to brush twice a day for two minutes each time, floss once a day, at least the teeth you plan on keeping, see a dentist at least twice a year, and avoid sugary foods and drinks. People who tend to drink 3 or more glasses of sugary soda daily have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than others.

Many teenagers worry about how white their teeth are compared to their friends. Dr. Young informed me that discolored teeth do not only come from lack of brushing, but also from the foods they may consume. He advised that teens who worry about the whiteness of their teeth should avoid dark drinks such as colas, red wine (For parents), coffee, tea, and kool-aids. He also added that cigarette smoke and tobacco will stain your teeth and cause them to look unhealthy. If your teeth are stained by means of dark drinks or cigarettes, you may want to invest in whitening toothpaste and bleaching systems.

Another worry many teens have is having bad breath or chipped teeth. Bad breath is primarily caused by bacteria build up in the mouth, which could easily be fixed with a quick brush. Chipping on the other hand is not as easily fixed. For anyone with tongue piercings, the piercing will actually chip and break your teeth, and can eventually strip your gums away.

Bulimia and Meth amphetamine are other causes of bad breath and poor dental care. Bulimia will dissolve the enamel off of the teeth, which causes your teeth to become brittle and easy to break down. Meth amphetamine use leads to a condition called “Meth Mouth” which is the rapid destruction of your teeth within just a few years’ time. Ewwww... google "Meth Mouth", but only if you have a strong stomach, and you are not currently eating.

When asking Dr. Young what the long term effects of not having the proper dental care are, he told me that it could cause you to need dentures earlier on in life than average. The older you get, the more brittle your teeth become, and the more likely you are going to be an elderly person with dentures instead of actual teeth. “The better you take care of your teeth throughout your lifetime, the longer you will have teeth to take care of” says Dr. Young.

The average woman smiles about sixty two times a day, and a man only about eight. Each time you smile, there is likely to be someone watching. A pretty smile is one of the leading and most noticeable attractions to other people, whether it is a friend, significant other, boss, or family members. If you have a pretty smile, and use it often, you will find yourself surrounded by people who enjoy your company.