As a parent or guardian, one of the many ways in which you care for your child is by ensuring they build and maintain a happy, healthy smile. For example, you have probably taught them to brush and floss twice daily to protect their teeth and gums.
You might also have scheduled a routine checkup and cleaning every six months with their pediatric dentist. But if your child has reached their teen years, you might wonder if it’s time to find a new provider. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons why you might want to wait a few years to find a new dentist!
Reason #1: Teeth Continue Growing
You’ve been caring for your child’s oral health their entire lives, meaning you watched them grow their first teeth and then lose them over the years to make way for permanent pearly whites. It’s easy to assume that your kid’s teeth and gums are done developing once their adult teeth arrive, but that’s not necessarily the case.
For example, their jaw and face are still shifting and growing, and pediatric dentists are trained in caring for people’s smiles throughout these transitional phases. As a result, many dentists suggest waiting until their early to mid-twenties before switching to a general provider.
Reason #2: Orthodontics May Be Required
As your teen’s mouth changes, their teeth could become overcrowded or gapped, or they might develop a bite misalignment that impacts everything from their oral health to their diet to their speech patterns.
Many teens and young adults have to get braces to straighten their smiles, and pediatric providers have the unique experience to guide their grin into its ideal placement. Not only can this improve their confidence by enhancing their appearance, but it also makes it easier to brush and floss, which helps prevent common oral issues.
Reason #3: They Might Have Wisdom Tooth Problems
Did you know that most people grow their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 to 22? These last molars arrive years after your teen’s other adult teeth have erupted, and unfortunately, they’re known for causing plenty of problems.
For instance, they often don’t fully erupt or become impacted, which can cause a cyst or infection to develop. They’re also notorious for pushing teeth out of alignment and causing aches as they struggle to clear the gumline. Pediatric dentists are familiar with the many risks of wisdom teeth and can help safely extract them to preserve your youth’s dental well-being.
As you can see, there are several good reasons to wait a few more years before helping your teenager find a dentist to help them care for their smile through their adult lives.
About the Practice
At G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, your family benefits from a team of providers dedicated to guiding still-developing smiles. With two pediatric dentists and an orthodontist in the office, there’s no problem too simple or complex for them to handle. Their caring and compassionate approach is combined with advanced technology to provide accurate treatments while helping families feel at ease. You can request an appointment on the website or call (630) 778-9500.
