Dental Care for Adolescents

Teenagers are a special group of “children” that need particular attention. They are undergoing a lot challenges in their lives, pressure from peers, study, etc. All these factors will change their diet habits and oral hygiene practice.

We work closely with our teenage patients to help them maintain good oral health. Tongue/lip piercing and smoking habits are some common issues related to teenagers, and we discuss those issues during their visit.

Wisdom Teeth Evaluation

A wisdom teeth evaluation is also an important part of our examination for our teenage patients. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically begin to develop in early adolescence, and may attempt to erupt into the mouth around the ages of 17 to 20.
Wisdom teeth are sometimes removed after the roots are somewhat developed, or at least three-fourths developed, usually in the adolescent years. In many cases, wisdom teeth do not grow in properly, nor have healthy gum tissue around them. Often, wisdom teeth improperly erupt and become impacted, requiring them to be extracted, or pulled. Although they are like any other teeth, most people continue to have normal bites and well-functioning sets of teeth in their absence.
We have an oral surgeon in our clinic to provide quick and safe wisdom teeth extraction. We also have a dental anesthesiologist working with us, who can put your kids to sleep for wisdom teeth extraction if you prefer.

Trauma Prevention and Management

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, many sports-related emergencies involving teeth can be avoided by following the rules and remembering dental first aid steps. If your child participates in any sports, a mouth guard is a smart investment. Mouth guards are soft plastic devices that fit over the front of your child’s mouth, protecting the teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums from sports-related injuries. A well-fitting mouth guard can protect your child from injuries to the teeth, face, and even some severe injuries to the head. We assess your child’s sport activities during their dental visit and provide necessary mouth guards or orthodontic consultation to prevent trauma from happening.