We Build Healthy Smiles in Formative Years with Teen’s Dentistry
As teens transition from childhood to adulthood, their dental needs evolve, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. And if the advice comes from someone other than the parent, they’re more likely to consider it in this age group. Westwood Dentistry has experience providing dental care for every life stage. Our services include routine dental exams, during which we coach your teen and reinforce the good oral habits needed to maintain optimal dental health: our dentists, Drs. Monica Anand and Anshuman Rawat, also parents, are pleased to care for your children, including teens.
What are oral health aspects specific to teens?
Adult teeth replace baby teeth between ages 6 and 20. By the time your child is 12, most permanent teeth have already come in, except for wisdom teeth (third molars) that appear in some people between the ages of 17 and 25.
Navigating the teen years can be a rollercoaster ride of growth spurts, mood swings, and milestones. The changing oral health in the teen years presents yet another challenge. Good oral hygiene habits developed during childhood tend to slide, sometimes to the point of neglect. It’s essential to consider how your choices can impact your oral health during this stage of life, both positively and negatively.
- Unhealthy snacking: Increased independence may lead to poor dietary choices affecting oral health. For instance, the number of teenagers drinking soda has nearly doubled from years ago. As expected, increased sugar intake leads to tooth decay and gum disease.
- Smoking: If you don’t smoke, don’t start. And if you do, now is the time to quit. Smoking affects your oral health in several ways, including tooth staining, bad breath, and increased risk of periodontal disease and oral cancer. If you consume tobacco products, be honest with your doctor, and they will help you quit.
- Eating disorders: A healthy diet is vital for healthy gums and teeth. So, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, synonymous with teens, can deny your teeth and gums the much-needed nutrients.
- Wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt in the mouth and often emerge between ages 17 and 25. Since most teeth have erupted at this stage, wisdom teeth don’t have enough space in the jawbone to erupt normally. Often, wisdom teeth may remain impacted (trapped) beneath the gum line. Ingrown teeth cause infections and pressure on the surrounding teeth, causing pain, misalignments, overcrowding, etc. Extraction is the best option for impacted or troublesome wisdom teeth.
- Misaligned teeth: Crooked or overcrowded teeth are common in children and teens, affecting natural speech, eating ability, confidence, and aesthetics. Straightening teeth offers a range of cosmetic and functional benefits.
Teen’s dentistry: What are the services we offer?
Our office offers dental care to patients of all ages, including teens. We maintain a professional yet friendly environment to ensure your teenage son or daughter feels home. We complement your teen’s at-home dental care with the following dental services.
- Regular dental check-ups to detect and treat oral problems early on
- Professional cleanings to eradicate the built-in plaque and tartar
- Standard and wisdom teeth extractions
- Invisalign® treatment for crooked, gapped, and overcrowded teeth
- Restorative dentistry with fillings and crowns
- Sleep apnea and bruxism treatment with oral appliance therapy
- Sports mouthguards to protect against sports injuries
Are you ready for teen dentistry?
Westwood Dentistry offers comprehensive dental care services to help your teen’s teeth and gums shine through these transformative years. To get started, call (781) 514-6443 to schedule an appointment with our caring team.
