Adolescence is a pivotal time for dental health. It is during this stage of life that kids and teens become more independent and take control of their diet, habits, and routines.
Adolescents often have special dental needs involved with the following:
- Appearance: Adolescents are acutely aware of their appearance and may feel embarrassed by crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth. The teenage years are a time when appearance becomes much more important. Both parents and children want to look their best for prom pictures, senior photos and all the social interactions that are a part of this time of life.
Many in this age group have recently had their braces removed and are looking for fine-tuning of the bite or appearance of their teeth. Oftentimes very minor cosmetic bonding procedures will make a big difference in a smile.
- Missing teeth: It is not uncommon for adolescents to be missing a permanent tooth or teeth. These spaces have sometimes had temporary artificial replacements when their braces were on, but now need something that looks better and lasts longer. Because dental implants should not be placed until children have reached their full adult growth it sometimes is necessary to place bonded bridges or temporaries that will look good and function well until dental implants become an option.
- Cavities between the teeth: The diet of an adolescent often includes lots of fast foods and soda and energy drinks. This combined with less than ideal home care often leads to cavities that develop between the teeth. They are usually not painful and not apparent visually, but they can be very destructive and lead to root canals or even tooth loss if not corrected. Usually routine fillings will correct these problems if they are necessary.
Our hygienists proactively address home care issues with these young adults to improve their understanding, which leads to a good start on dental home care at a young age.
- Wisdom teeth: By adolescence, all of the baby teeth have usually fallen out and been replaced with permanent teeth. The only exception is the third molars, or wisdom teeth, which are the may not grow into the mouth (i.e., “erupt”) until a person’s 20s.
Dr. Singer and Dr. Carpenter are careful to monitor the progress of the wisdom teeth with digital imaging and X-rays. Some wisdom teeth are in the wrong position or do not have enough room to properly erupt in the mouth. These are known as “impacted” wisdom teeth, and they can cause pain and other problems. In cases of an impacted wisdom tooth, Dr. Singer and Dr. Carpenter can refer the patient to an oral surgeon for extraction.
- Mouth guards: Adolescents that are involved in contact sports should be fitted for a custom mouth guard. These appliances protect the teeth, jaw and head from a sudden blow or impact. Stock or “boil and bite” mouth guards are bulky, ill-fitting and offer little protection; it’s better to have Dr. Singer or Dr. Carpenter take impressions and measurements for a customized piece.
Mouth guards are also recommended to adolescents that grind or clench in their sleep.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Carpenter or Dr. Singer
If you would like to learn more about a particular aspect of adolescent dentistry, Rancho Bernardo dentists Michael Singer and Ray Carpenter invite you to call (858) 487-2301 or email our practice. They are happy to sit down with you and your child to discuss your specific needs.