This has been on my mind for a while and I think I can speak for my colleagues as well. Teenagers have been surveyed about their oral health and maintenance and most appreciate the importance of brushing at least twice a day. A teen that has regular checkups has most likely had a PSR (Periodontal Screening and Recording)by the dentist. This is the use of a probe to measure gum pockets. Previously performed only by a periodontist, this procedure is now encouraged as part of a regular dental examination.
Correct tooth brushing, mouth cleansing, and flossing should be everyone's defense against periodontal disease. However, flossing is another story. Flossing is critical to reach places where a toothbrush cannot. If there is anything we can stress as influential adults to a budding adult is that flossing is one of the necessary ingredients to overall preservation of our teeth and gums.
Unfortunately statistics indicate more than two-thirds of people DO NOT FLOSS. More and more of us in dentistry are seeing signs of periodontal disease at an earlier age and this is one indicator of why.