How healthy are your teeth? Although many people are quick to underestimate their dental health, the fact of the matter is that there are a lot of different elements that play into overall dental wellness. From how often you brush and floss to how regularly you attend regular checkups, it is important to stay in close communication with your dentist, especially if you come down with a new symptom. The purpose of this website is to help people to understand and resolve dental issues, since small symptoms can lead to big problems down the road. Check out these posts to learn more about dental care.
When some people think about a pediatric dentist, they often tend to think about care for young children. However, children in their high school and early college years can still benefit from visiting a pediatric dental professional; learn why.
1. Lifestyle Factors
The average teenager is very active and leads a lifestyle that is quite different from the average adult. For example, during high school and college years, teenagers often participate in competitive sports, such as basketball or soccer. Participating in competitive sports brings about a certain level of risk for damage to your teeth.
Pediatric dentists deal with patients who participate in these events on a regular basis and can quickly fit your child with the right protective gear. Teenagers also don't typically have the same healthy eating habits as adults; they tend to eat and drink more sugar-loaded foods and drinks. A pediatric dentist will take these details into account and work with your child to ensure their teeth are protected.
2. Comfort and Relatability
It's important to note that all dental professionals have the skill to work with patients of any age. However, it is important to consider the idea that pediatric dental professionals typically have more experience with younger patients, and as a result, they tend to have a bedside manner that is more approachable and relatable for younger patients.
This relatability is important when it comes to making your teen feel comfortable enough to ask questions about their dental health at visits and listen to recommendations on care from the provider. The more comfortable your child is with the provider, the better.
3. Full Development
Somewhere during the primary years, children's teeth fall out and they are replaced with their adult teeth. Don't assume that this phase is the end of a child's dental development; it's only the beginning. First, as their facial structure changes, so does the structure of their jaws. A pediatric dental professional can spot any skeletal issues with the development that might indicate a development problem.
Second, it's not unheard of for a person's wisdom teeth not to come in until well after their twentieth birthday. So, even an older teen might not be fully developed. It's a good idea to continue to visit a pediatric professional until dental development is complete.
If you have an older teenager who needs dental care, don't hesitate to take your child to a pediatric dental specialist in your area for assistance.