Taking care of your teenager's health can get tricky as they grow up. It's hard to know when to move away from things meant for children and start using services for adults. That can include finding the right dentist. For teenagers and their teeth, it's not always easy to know if they should stay with a pediatric dentist.

 

Understanding How Pediatric Dentists Care for Teenagers and Their Teeth

Most parents know how important a pediatric dentist is as children first get their baby teeth and later their permanent teeth. These healthcare experts are carefully trained to recognize developmental milestones and help with good hygiene habits as children grow.

 

As a child hits adolescence and through the early teenage years, the jaw and teeth are still developing. This is a common time for kids to get orthodontic care. A pediatric dentist has a better skillset to monitor the changes happening and help decide the right course of action.

 

There are also recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which suggest that children should continue to see a pediatric dentist until they are around age 18. Not only does this allow a child to stay with a doctor and dental team they are comfortable with, it gives plenty of time for wisdom teeth to start to emerge. Those third molars can sometimes be problematic, so it's good to keep a close eye on them.
 

Making the Transition

When it is time to make the transition to adult dental care, there are a few steps that will make the process easier. First, finish any treatments or planned procedures that are scheduled at the pediatric practice. Next, make sure the teenager understands their medical history and is mature enough to communicate with the new dentist.

 

Taking Care of Teenagers and Their Teeth

To get the right care for your teenagers and their teeth, don't rush to leave the pediatric dentist with whom you have a relationship. Waiting for the right time for the transition can be beneficial. Call the Pediatric Dental Group to see how we can help.