Ages 12-21
Is it time for Braces?
An orthodontic evaluation can take place as early as age 7, however the majority of orthodontists opt to place full appliances once the child has all of their adult teeth. Your pediatric dentist can provide a referral after your child has had a their periodic exam. Orthodontics are an additional obstacle when keeping up with oral hygiene, thus your child's ability to maintain a healthy mouth strongly effects the placement of the appliances.
Adolescent Oral Health
As your child matures and becomes more independent, they may also begin to forget the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth. Increased intake of junk foods (sweets and soda), decreased brushing frequency in combination with changing hormones, all contribute to a decline in oral health. Along with reminding your tween and teen to keep healthy habits, regular dental visits can aid in monitoring changes in your child mouth; thus addressing problems early on.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth can be a painful rite of passage for teenagers. Some wisdom teeth (also known as 3rd molars) erupt with no symptoms. However, in some cases there might not be enough room in the arch for the teeth to erupt fully. The side-effects can be miserable. Your pediatric dentist can provide a referral to an Oral Surgeon who has the expertise to remove these teeth.