Whether your child just turned 13 or 19, they might feel “too cool” for a lot of things, from the toys they used to play with to having you drop them off in front of the movie theatre. If going to a kid’s dentist is also on that list, then read on to learn why your teen needs to visit a pediatric dentist – at least for a while longer.
So, Why Does My Teen Need to Visit a Pediatric Dentist?
One of the biggest reasons teenagers need to visit a pediatric dentist is because this dental specialist has undergone extensive training in caring for growing smiles. In other words, they know what problems to look out for – including bite problems and impacted wisdom teeth – as well as the best way to address them swiftly.
The relationship that your teen and their pediatric dentist have also cannot be underestimated. After all, many children struggle with dental-related anxiety, and seeing the same familiar faces they know and trust time and time again can help prevent that from developing. On the contrary, scheduling an appointment with someone new can be stressful and has the potential to lead to a negative association with going to the dentist.
Lastly, pediatric dental offices are planned specifically for children. In other words, everything is designed to be less threatening – from the pictures on the wall to the size of the instruments they use.
How Your Teen Can Maintain a Healthy Smile Between Visits
In most cases, patients are encouraged to come in for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. Between visits, help your teen adopt healthy habits to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems. Here are a few examples:
- Keeping sugary foods and drinks to a minimum
- Brushing each morning and evening
- Flossing consistently
- Avoiding unhealthy practices, like nail-biting
- Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports
About the Practice
At Simply Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, our goal is to help each and every patient in our treatment chair keep their smile healthy and happy year after year. Whether your teen is coming in for a routine checkup, orthodontic treatment, or essential restorative care, we will go above and beyond to make their experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. If you’re interested in learning more about dentistry for teens or you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (781) 767-7200.