Smoking & Your Teen



Has your teenager come home recently smelling like a new odor that is not appropriate for their age? Have you shown them pictures of oral cancer and discussed with them the cost of cigarettes? It can be difficult as a parent to watch your teenager make unhealthy decisions that will impact their life forever. However, with these few ideas you may be able to help support them to make better decisions. The CDC reports “Thirty-two hundred people under the age of eighteen smoke their first cigarette every day,” (CDC.gov)
 
Dr. Fuller of Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands believes that the best role models are parents. If you smoke, your teen is watching. Find out more about programs to help you quit from your general dentist.  Further research suggests you should begin to talk to your kids about the impact of smoking when they are young. Start the dialog when they are five or six and continue talking to them about the consequences all through High School. While you may think they are not listening, they are.

Be clear about your expectations. You’ll want to give your children a clear message that smoking is not okay by you and that you will not tolerate the behavior. Let them know that you care about them and their health. State how important it is to you that they enjoy a healthy life free of disease.

Teenagers who smoke are more likely to end up with periodontal disease, have missing teeth at a younger age, and stained teeth all of which will affect their self-esteem, their career options and overall health.  Be smart and commit to having that conversation today!


Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 2, 2014 at 6:06 AM

    I can confirm that smoking is really bad for you if you wanna have a good and white teeth!
    dentist las vegas

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 3, 2014 at 1:40 PM

    It seems like this is a very problematic issue these days. Smoking is especially bad for your oral health. It would be pretty hard to find a dentist who tells you otherwise.

    http://www.yassvalleydental.com.au/our-services

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 7, 2014 at 7:31 PM

      Yes, I agree Charles that this is a problematic issue. Thank you for stopping by.

      Delete

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