It may seem like your teen is (too) rapidly heading into adulthood, but the many changes they experience as they grow effect their faces, jaws, and teeth too. Not only are the last of their permanent teeth coming in, but these new teeth, which have just emerged from the gums, are particularly vulnerable to decay.
As these new teeth erupt and settle into position, you may notice poor alignment of the teeth. Often, the jaws will not grow enough to accommodate the large size of the permanent teeth. Crowding and a bad bite can result from this. It is more difficult to keep crowded teeth clean, leaving a child more susceptible to cavities. In addition, crowding and a bad bite can cause excessive wear, difficulty tearing foods, and prevention of proper growth of the jaws. Evaluation of your child’s bite is evaluated at every check up appointment and early treatment can lead to less severe condition.
Pediatric dentists are trained to meet the special needs of teens and adolescents to keep their oral health on the right track. And as teenagers become more responsible for their own diet and nutrition choices, it’s even more important that they have a dedicated dental health partner to educate them to the right choices and routines, laying a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
