Youth and adolescent oral health

According to the World Health Organization, an adolescent is someone within the ages of 10-19 years while a youth is someone within the ages of 15-24 years.¹ Oral health is an important part of overall health for this age group. Adolescence marks a period in an individual’s development where significant growth may occur. It is also the period to form long term positive health habits which may enable a healthy lifestyle and support good health well into adulthood.

Common oral health concerns

• Orthodontic treatment: When teeth are classified with malocclusion2. Malocclusion may affect oral hygiene, eating, speaking, and appearance.^2,3
• Restorative treatment:Tooth decay is common among adolescents and youths. In fact, among individuals aged 12-19, about 57% have had decay in their adult teeth.⁴
• Evaluation and possible treatment need for 3rd molars:The third molars usually erupt around the ages of 17-21.⁵ When there is inadequate space to grow, third molar teeth may become impacted. Impacted third molars may cause pain, tooth decay, gum disease, infection and tumors.² Every provider must weigh the risks ofremoval and active monitoring.^{8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13}
• Tobacco and e-cigarettes: During adolescence some individuals may first experience exposure to tobacco use (including smoking, dip, chew and snuff), e-cigarettes and vapes which can contain nicotine. While the harmful effects of tobacco on oral health is far more known, vaping is a relatively new discussion in comparison. National tobacco cessation resources are available at 1.800.QUIT.NOW
  

Additional reasons to quit include: ^2,6,7

• Tobacco use is harmful to overall health
• Delayed wound healing following extractions or oral surgery
• Effects of vaping results in toxic exposures
• Explosion of vaping devices
• Oral cancer
• Periodontal infection
• Halitosis
• Stained teeth

Guidance for good oral and overall health for adolescents and youths

• Eat a nutritious and balanced diet – Eat healthy fruits and vegetables.
• Limit eating and drinking acidic and high sugar foods and drinks
• Spend time making healthy food choices
• Be physically active – establishing healthy routines early may reduce risk of inflammation
• Wear mouthguards to protect teeth during sporting activities
• Clean mouthguards as part of routine oral care
• Sleep well
• Avoid harmful behaviors such as tobacco use and substance use and seek support for quitting harmful behaviors
• Seek regular dental visits
• Routine screenings promotes health
• Practice good oral care including routine dental hygiene
• Spend time toothbrushing, flossing, interdental cleaning, and use topical fluorides

References

• https://www.who.int/southeastasia/health-topics/adolescent-health#:~:text=WHO%20defines%20'Adolescents'%20as%20individuals,15%2D24%20year%20age%20group.
• https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/teens/healthy-dental-habits-teens
• Proffit WR, Fields HW Jr, Moray LJ. Prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need in the United States: estimates from the NHANES III survey. Int J Adult Orthodon Orthognath Surg. 1998;13(2):97-106.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital signs: dental sealant use and untreated tooth decay among US school-aged children. MMWR. 2016;65(41):1141-1145.
• https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/all-topics-a-z/wisdom-teeth
• Daniel L. Overbeek, Alexandra P. Kass, Laura E. Chiel, Edward W. Boyer & Alicia M. H. Casey (2020) A review of toxic effects of electronic cigarettes/vaping in adolescents and young adults, Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 50:6, 531-538, DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2020.1794443
• La Valle A, O'Connor R, Brooks A, Freij R. Maxillofacial injury related to an exploding e-cigarette. BMJ Case Rep. 2021;14(1):e239677. Published 2021 Jan 28. doi:10.1136/bcr-2020-239677
• Ghaeminia H, Nienhuijs ME, Toedtling V, et al. Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;5(5):CD003879. Published 2020 May 4. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003879.pub5
• Huang GJ, Cunha-Cruz J, Rothen M, et al. A prospective study of clinical outcomes related to third molar removal or retention. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(4):728-734. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301649
• Cunha-Cruz J, Rothen M, Spiekerman C, et al. Recommendations for third molar removal: a practice-based cohort study. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(4):735-743. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301652

11.  Tulloch JF, Antczak-Bouckoms AA, Ung N. Evaluation of the costs and relative effectiveness of alternative strategies for the removal of mandibular third molars. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 1990;6(4):505–515. 
12.  Song F, O’Meara S, Wilson P, Golder S, Kleijnen J. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of prophylactic removal of wisdom teeth. Health Technol Assess. 2000;4(15):1–55. 
13. Morant H. NICE issues guidelines on wisdom teeth. BMJ. 2000;320(7239):890A.