Young adulthood is an important stage of your child’s overall development. Over their teenage years, your children will be busy developing habits that will likely carry them through all their future stages of life. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they get all the proper dental advice, know how to care for their teeth, braces, and of course, have access to any other orthodontics they may need from the get-go.
Your child’s teenage years are a critical stage not just in their overall development, but also dental health. With issues like the eruption of wisdom teeth occurring around these years, if your children don’t get proper dental care, they could potentially be at risk of developing serious oral health issues in adulthood. That’s why it’s so important to schedule regular appointments with your dentist and orthodontist throughout their adolescent years. Regular appointments and informed dental care won’t just help prevent cavities, gum disease, tooth loss and other highly preventable dental health issues, but will also ensure that your child continues to prioritise their dental healthcare as they grow older.
Want to learn more about how best you can ensure your teens are getting all the dental care they’ll need? Here are some of the most common procedures or queries surrounding teen dental healthcare.
Misaligned Teeth, When a Teenager Might Need Braces (or Invisalign)
If a teenager’s teeth are not straight, it can affect how they look and feel about themselves. Crooked or misaligned teeth may also cause problems with eating or speaking.
Whilst teens typically wear braces to correct misaligned teeth or improve their appearance, braces aren’t considered to be purely cosmetic treatments, with dentists across the globe supporting the use of braces for combating issues like jaw pain, tooth decay, and gum disease.
It’s never too early to start thinking about orthodontic treatment. However, the best time to get braces is during early adolescence because preteens and younger teens have all (or nearly all) of their adult teeth in place. In addition, their softer jawbone tissue is still quite responsive to repositioning.
If you feel that your child may benefit from wearing braces, be sure to consult with your family dentist promptly, as these procedures can be time-sensitive. Children shouldn’t wait too long before getting braces, as their jawbone tissue can set. Any repositioning following this stage of their development can cause unnecessary pain or discomfort, and may even potentially lead to the development of more problems later in life.
Another option is Invisalign. This treatment utilizes advanced clear aligner technology so that teenagers can straighten their teeth without the need for traditional metal braces. Be sure to consult with your dentist if you have any questions regarding what benefits of Invisalign may hold for your child.
Starting Sport? A Mouthguard is Essential for Dental Health
Playing sports is great, but it can be dangerous. Mouthguards are a vital part of protecting your teeth and mouth from injuries in any sport.
A good mouthguard should be comfortable enough that you forget it’s even there, but strong enough that it can take a beating without breaking or shifting out of place. In addition, it should fit snugly in your mouth without being too tight or too loose — otherwise, it won’t do its job correctly.
Teenagers getting ready to play sports should visit the dentist first to get a mouthguard perfectly molded to their mouth for the ultimate protection.
Wisdom Teeth Can Become an Issue as Early as Age 15
Impacted wisdom teeth can become an issue for teenagers, which is precisely why young people should visit a dentist if they have any form of mouth pain. Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to develop and usually appear between 15 and 18.
They can cause severe discomfort if they don’t have enough space to erupt properly or become impacted. When this happens, they can push against other healthy teeth, causing damage that could lead to infection and tooth loss. This is why teenagers with wisdom teeth problems need to seek treatment as soon as possible before permanent damage occurs.
Don’t Wait For Pain; Visit The Dentist Regularly For a Winning Smile
As regular dental checkups help to prevent the development of serious and potentially lifelong problems, it’s in your child’s best interests to ensure that they have regularly scheduled appointments with your family dentist over these formative years.
Waiting for pain or other symptoms may result in unnecessary pain, irreversible damage, and may also lead to expensive procedures and even surgery. Dentists recommend that teenagers have routine checkups every 6-12 months. Be sure to schedule these appointments today so that both you and your child can feel confident about their ongoing dental health.
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