And just like that, your baby has turned into a teenager seemingly overnight. Where did the time go? While they might seem all grown up (and might think of themselves that way as well), the truth is that most teens can greatly benefit from seeing a pediatric dentist all the way up to age 18. In fact, it’s the best way to ensure their adult teeth come in straight and can help you ultimately spend less on their dental care!
Always Changing
Similar to young children, a teen’s teeth, jaws, and overall facial structure change quickly, especially with the onset of puberty. Pediatric dentists are specialists in monitoring this rapid growth and know how to keep a teen’s oral health on the right track while nature works its magic.
Spot the Signs
The early teen years are often the best time to begin orthodontic treatment because the mouth will be very responsive, allowing the teeth to shift quickly versus waiting until they are older. When is the best time to begin? It depends on the child and how their teeth and bite are coming together, and pediatric dentists have a keen eye to know when is the perfect time to start.
Beginning before any orthodontic issues like crowding or a misaligned bite become too advanced can help your child avoid more severe issues while preventing some entirely. Plus, this will shorten their overall treatment time, which they (and your wallet) will certainly appreciate.
Teen Talk
Despite all the amazing technology and discoveries we enjoy in the modern world, trying to talk to a teenager is still one of the greatest challenges a parent can face. As part of their specialty training, pediatric dentists gain a lot of experience communicating with teens, meaning no matter where your child is maturity-wise, you can trust them to make a connection.
Getting a teen to care about their oral health can be a challenge, but it’s one that pediatric dentists have successfully faced countless times. Partnering with one can increase the chances that your child understands why their oral health is so important and how at-home oral hygiene will serve them now and well into adulthood.
In short, pediatric dentists aren’t just experts at taking care of toddlers’ smiles, but everyone from infants to teens and every stage in between. With one on your side, you can focus more on spending quality time with your child and planning the next phase of their life, all while you know their oral health is in great hands.
About Schoharie Dental
The team at Schoharie Dental includes two board-certified pediatric dentists, Dr. Alexis Daniels and Dr. Carl Fusco-Gessick. Each has completed years of dedicated training specifically focused on treating young patients, including teens, giving stressed parents one less thing to worry about when they come to our practice.
Whether your child just turned 13, is about to go to college, or is somewhere in between, they are always welcome at Schoharie Dental, and we would love to give them the bright, healthy smile they deserve. To schedule their next appointment with us, just click here.