YOUNG PEOPLE heading to university for the first time next month, who plan to embrace the party lifestyle, could find themselves with serious teeth problems, a top dentist has warned.
And now Dr Ken Harris – one of the UK’s leading cosmetic dentists – is calling for parents who will be giving advice to their youngsters on how to stay safe when away from home, to also tell them to care for their teeth.
Late nights, too much alcohol and too many caffeine-rich fizzy drinks to help stay awake can cause huge dental problems for young people, according to Dr Harris, who runs Riveredge Cosmetic Dentistry in Sunderland and Newcastle.
He is concerned that the round-the-clock party lifestyle that young people often enjoy at university can contribute to unexpected dental problems.
“For young people away from home for the first time, it’s inevitable that they are going to embrace a party lifestyle,” said Dr Harris, who has almost 35 years’ experience working in general dental practice.
“This can lead to dehydration and reduce the flow of saliva, which normally helps protect tooth enamel, putting their teeth at real risk of acid damage.
“Many youngsters then compound the problem by drinking energy drinks to stay awake. Carbonated drinks like these, even sugar-free versions, contain significant acid in the fizz which soften the enamel on your teeth, and if you then brush softened teeth, they wear down really fast.”
Dr Harris has the following tips for young people heading off to university:-
- Don’t brush your teeth straight after having carbonated drinks or fruit juice. This could actually damage teeth because tooth enamel would be softened by the acid.
- Wait four hours after having fizzy drinks before brushing your teeth – giving the enamel time to harden up again.
- Drink plenty of water, especially if you exercise a lot.
- If you vomit, do not brush your teeth immediately, but rinse your mouth with water.
”I’ve had patients come home from university after just one term and I can see the damage immediately,” said Dr Harris.
“It’s really important that youngsters heading off from home to university become aware of these potential problems or they could be setting themselves up for a whole host of dental issues in the future.”
For further information visit www.riveredge.co.uk.