Teen Dentistry in Highland Village
.jpg)
Keep Your Teen’s Smile Strong and Healthy
Pediatric dentists don’t just treat younger kids and pre-teens. At Pediatric Dental World, Dr. Bell, Dr. Clapp, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Smith specialize in addressing the unique needs of teenagers. Teen dentistry is very important, as teenagers face unique challenges to their oral health, and the teenage years are often when your child will develop the dental habits that will follow them into adulthood. Read on, or contact us now to schedule an appointment for your teen.
The Importance of Teen Oral Health
By the time your child is a teenager, they’ll likely have all of their permanent adult teeth. This usually happens by the age of 12-13. That means that any further damage to their teeth, such as cavities, will not be reversible.
Because of this, it’s important for your teenager to take proper care of their teeth. If they begin to falter and don't maintain good oral health habits, this could lead to severe oral health problems as they grow older and become adults. To protect their teeth both now and in the future, proper teen oral health is essential.
Navigating Oral Obstacles
Unique Oral Health Challenges For Teens
Teenagers face a number of unique oral health challenges, including hormones that can lead to a higher risk of gingivitis, participating in contact sports that could damage their teeth, and more. Let’s take a deeper look at two common oral health challenges for teens now.
Changing Habits and Greater Independence
Teenagers have a lot more freedom and independence compared to younger kids, which can lead to poor oral health outcomes. For example, they may be able to eat sugary snacks and drink soda when you’re not around, increasing their risk of tooth decay and gingivitis.
In addition, they may adopt habits that are bad for their oral health, like smoking or vaping. It’s important to make sure you’re aware of what your teens are doing, and if they’re participating in things that could harm their teeth and gums.
Orthodontics
The teen years are the perfect time to get orthodontic treatment for your child. Their permanent teeth will have erupted, but their mouth is still growing and changing, making it easier to correct issues with their teeth alignment and jaw position. The team at Pediatric Dental World can provide your teen with an orthodontic consultation to see if they need orthodontic treatment.
How to Talk to Your Teen About Oral Health
Wondering how you can talk to your teen about oral health and make sure they take it seriously? Here are a few tips from the team at Pediatric Dental World.
Speak to Them as an Equal
Don’t talk down to your teenager. We recommend that you approach them as an adult, and give them the facts about the importance of dentistry and proper oral hygiene.
.png)
Help Them Feel Confident About Their Smile
Teens are often very image-focused, so emphasizing the importance of a healthy smile for their appearance can be a good way to motivate teens to take pride in caring for their pearly whites.
Focus on the Long Term
It’s important to give your teen the proper perspective. Make sure they understand that the oral habits they form now may follow them for the rest of their lives and influence their dental health for decades to come.
We proudly serve Highland Village & Double Oak!