No matter the generation, teens, it seems are always in a rush to grow up. From ordering off the adult menu to staying up late or heading to the mall with just friends, their desire for independence will only increase with time. But what about their oral hygiene? If your teen is due for a dental checkup but has been going to a pediatric practice, is it time to graduate to a general dentist? Here’s why when it comes to their smile, there’s no need to rush to adulthood just yet!
Growth Doesn’t Stop at 18
While the legal age of adulthood is 18 in most places, that doesn’t mean your body simply stops growing on your birthday! In fact, most men’s jaws don’t reach full maturity until they’re around 21.
By continuing to bring your teen to a pediatric dentist, they can closely monitor developmental changes to your child’s mouth, jaw, and skull as they finish growing.
They May Still Need Hygiene Help
Although you’ve been helping your kiddo maintain excellent oral hygiene since birth, they still may cut corners from time to time, skipping a brushing or flossing here or there, or not spending enough time scrubbing every tooth. In fact, even the most diligent teenagers can still improve their techniques as they age.
Your pediatric dentist knows how to instruct younger adults to brush and floss effectively and can even impart some wisdom about the importance of keeping their smile healthy and strong well into adulthood, when they’ll be the ones responsible for their own dental care (and dental bill!).
Staying on the Straight and Narrow
The earlier your child’s dentist can spot alignment problems, the sooner they can be treated, and the easier they’ll be to correct. That’s because the older you get, the more firmly in place your teeth are in your jaw, and the harder they are to move. While it’s true that it’s never too late to get braces or aligners, treating orthodontic issues during young adulthood can make the process much shorter, more comfortable, and less costly than waiting until after they’ve hit adulthood, and your teen’s pediatric dentist is the best person to make recommendations for treatment as they grow!
The Wisdom to Know the Difference
Wisdom teeth are weird, aren’t they? Some people never get any at all, while others can have anywhere between one and six! Although it’s not always necessary to remove them, if they are impacted, growing sideways, or causing crowding or pain, they should be extracted. Your teenager’s pediatric dentist has likely been monitoring their wisdom teeth for years and is the best person to determine if and when they should be removed, and if they can’t do the procedure themselves, they likely know a kind, caring, skilled oral surgeon who can!
Remember, although your teen thinks they’re an adult, it’s still important to treat their smile like a kid! If you’ve been considering taking them to a general dentist before their 18th birthday, don’t forget they’ve still got some growing up to do, and their pediatric dentist is the best person to help ensure their oral growth and development stay on track for a lifetime!
About Dr. Vuppala
Dr. Ramu Vuppala earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Toledo and his dental degree at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. He is currently certified in laser dentistry, level 2 sedation, and Invisalign. Additionally, he is a proud, active member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to name a few! To schedule an appointment for your teen at Midland Kids’ Dentist, visit our website or call us today at 432-520-5437.