Is your son or daughter a teenager now? As they’re likely to remind you, teens aren’t children anymore! However, just because they’re closer to becoming an adult doesn’t mean their smile has stopped growing and changing. A pediatric dentist is specially trained to address the unique oral healthcare needs of teens and adolescents as their teeth and jaw continue to develop. Here are four reasons your teenager should keep seeing a pediatric dentist until they’re 18.
1.) Teenagers Are Still Growing
While your teen may insist they’re an adult now, their mouth will continue to grow throughout their teenage years. Even though all their baby teeth have been replaced with their permanent pearly whites, their jaw, oral structures, and facial bones are still changing. Pediatric dentists are trained to monitor these changes and ensure everything is going smoothly.
2.) They May Need Orthodontic Treatments
As teenagers get older, it’s not uncommon for the growth of their permanent teeth to outpace the development of their jawbone. This can lead to crowded, crooked, or impacted teeth along with bite alignment issues, which is why millions of teenagers start orthodontic treatment every year. It’s important that your teen’s oral health is continuously evaluated by a pediatric dentist to predict and treat any issues as early as possible.
3.) Wisdom Teeth Can Become a Problem for Young Adults
The third set of molars in the back of the mouth are called wisdom teeth because they come in later in life, usually between the ages of 17 to 25. Most people don’t have enough space in their jaw to accommodate these extra teeth, so they can cause pain, crowding, and bacteria buildup as they develop. A pediatric dentist knows exactly what kind of signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for as your teen’s wisdom teeth come in, as well as how to treat them.
4.) Teaching Your Teenager Responsibility
While the teenage years can be somewhat challenging, they’re ultimately the time that your son or daughter learns how to take care of themselves and their responsibilities. During this exciting time in your child’s life, a pediatric dentist can help them form their own healthy habits and oral hygiene routines. They’ll coach them on how to care for their smile as they navigate sugary diets, sports dental safety, and orthodontic appliances. This way, they’ll be well-equipped to care for their oral health in the future when mom and dad aren’t making decisions for them anymore.
Your little one may be growing up fast, but they should keep seeing a pediatric dentist until they’re 18 years old. It could make all the difference in keeping your little one’s precious smile happy and healthy for years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Layne Benzley of Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is proud to offer compassionate and conservative dental care for growing smiles. With extensive training and board-certification as a pediatric dentist, he strives to meet all the unique oral health care needs of children as they grow, from their first appointment to fitting them for an athletic mouthguard for school sports. He’s outfitted his practice to be comfortable for children, teenagers, and their parents to help make every appointment as pleasant as possible. To learn more, he can be contacted via his website or at (303) 660-5373.
