Good Dental Care for Teens: What Does This Involve?
Our Honolulu dental care center is able to meet the diverse needs of patients in different stages of their lives. While restorative dentistry procedures can generally address issues for patients of all ages, tailoring an approach to dental care specific to the patient and their age is a great way to achieve total wellness that's good today and better for tomorrow.
For teenagers, there are some unique dental services and needs to be addressed. Let's go over the basics right now.
Orthodontics
Teenagers often undergo orthodontic treatment once their permanent teeth are in. In fact, some orthodontic procedures may be performed even before all of the permanent teeth have come in. It's generally easier to perform orthodontic procedures during childhood and the teens since patients are still growing. With adults, it can be more difficult and can take more time to improve dental alignment.
Braces, headgear, and other orthodontic appliances may be used to address underbites, overbites, issues with the palate size, and general malocclusion. There are also many effective invisible braces options that are ideal for teens as they prevent feelings of self-consciousness while treatment is underway.
Sports Dentistry
Many teenagers are student athletes. Dentists have a number of services they can provide to student athletes to prevent harm and address injuries.
For contact sports and very physical sports, a mouth guard may be ideal. Mouth guards are protective retainers that are worn to protect the teeth and tongue from harm during athletic competition. Custom mouth guards from your dentist are far more comfortable than the ones you can purchase at a sporting goods store.
If you do suffer a dental injury while playing sports, dentists have plenty of effective treatments for these issues. Emergency care and the use of dental restorations can address fractures and even save teeth that have been knocked out of place.
Monitoring Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are extra sets of molars that emerge around the early twenties. These additional teeth are not necessary, and they often come in crooked or impacted. This can place serious pressure on your existing teeth, and can lead to issues with discomfort, tooth decay, and serious dental health problems.
Extraction of wisdom teeth is a common oral surgery procedure that people go through. Typically the surgery is performed during the early twenties. Dentists can monitor the emergence of wisdom teeth in their teenage patients, which helps with planning the inevitable oral surgery and addressing any associated issues should they arise.
General Dental Care
Routine cleanings and exams are great for patients of any age, so it should come as no surprise that this is a major part of teenage dental care. Patients should come in twice a year for regular checkups. If the patient is undergoing orthodontic care, they may come in for additional checkups as needed to monitor the progress of their treatment.
Tips for Preventative Care
In addition to regular dental care, teens will often be given pointers on how to improve their dental health for the long haul. Tips on oral hygiene and proper preventative care can go a long way toward ensuring great dental health well into adulthood.
Learn More About Teenage Dental Care
To learn more about teenage dental health needs and how we can help you have a healthy and beautiful smile, be sure to contact our advanced dental care practice today. We look forward to your visit and discussing your dental health now and in the future.