{"id":728,"date":"2026-08-20T15:20:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:20:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.midlandkidsdentist.com\/blog\/?p=728"},"modified":"2026-09-01T15:23:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T15:23:12","slug":"do-teens-need-pediatric-dentists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.midlandkidsdentist.com\/blog\/do-teens-need-pediatric-dentists\/","title":{"rendered":"Should My Teen Still See a Pediatric Dentist?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

No matter the generation, teens<\/a>, 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\u2019s why when it comes to their smile, there\u2019s no need to rush to adulthood just yet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Growth Doesn\u2019t Stop at 18<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s jaws don\u2019t reach full maturity until they\u2019re around 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By continuing to bring your teen to a pediatric dentist, they can closely monitor developmental changes to your child\u2019s mouth, jaw, and skull as they finish growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They May Still Need Hygiene Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ll be the ones responsible for their own dental care (and dental bill!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying on the Straight and Narrow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The earlier your child\u2019s dentist can spot alignment problems, the sooner they can be treated, and the easier they\u2019ll be to correct. That\u2019s 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\u2019s true that it\u2019s 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\u2019ve hit adulthood, and your teen\u2019s pediatric dentist is the best person to make recommendations for treatment as they grow!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wisdom to Know the Difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wisdom teeth are weird, aren\u2019t they? Some people never get any at all, while others can have anywhere between one and six! Although it\u2019s not always necessary to remove them, if they are impacted, growing sideways, or causing crowding or pain, they should be extracted. Your teenager\u2019s 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\u2019t do the procedure themselves, they likely know a kind, caring, skilled oral surgeon who can!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, although your teen thinks they\u2019re an adult, it\u2019s still important to treat their smile like a kid! If you\u2019ve been considering taking them to a general dentist before their 18th<\/sup> birthday, don\u2019t forget they\u2019ve 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Dr. Vuppala<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Ramu Vuppala<\/a> 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\u2019 Dentist, visit our website<\/a> or call us today at 432-520-5437.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nShould My Teen Still See a Pediatric Dentist? | Dr. Ramu Vuppala<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering if it\u2019s time to cut ties with your teen\u2019s pediatric dentist? 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