Dental Kidz Club
Pediatric Dentistry located in Brea, Corona, Covina, Ontario, Riverside, Chino, & Perris, CA
The teenage years are when dental care can go awry, but it's a time when taking care of your teeth is more important than ever if you want to maintain healthy permanent teeth. Jihee Chun, DDS, and the team at Dental Kidz Club offer teen dentistry services: services that focus specifically on dental concerns common among adolescents. Request an appointment for your teen today by calling one of the office locations in Perris, Brea, Corona, Covina, Ontario, Chino, and Riverside, California.
Teen Dentistry Q & A
Why is teen dentistry important?
When your child enters their teenage years, there are many more health concerns you need to be aware of, and dental care is no different. One of the greatest challenges is that most parents or guardians stop supervising their teen’s dental routine, and it can become inconsistent and sporadic.
Teens tend to have unhealthier eating or drinking habits, which makes them more at risk of cavities. They may also take up smoking, which is another habit that can have a detrimental effect on dental health.
The team at Dental Kidz Club works collaboratively with their teenage patients to help educate and empower them to take control of their dental health at home.
What are common teen dentistry procedures?
As children get older, their dental needs change. Some of the procedures that are more common among teenagers than younger children include:
- Wisdom tooth extraction
- Root canal treatment
- Tooth fillings
- Veneers
- Crowns
- Teeth whitening
- Braces
- Dental bonding
Teenagers tend to feel much more self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth. Scheduling regular dental checkups can assure them that their teeth look their best at all times.
What can you do at home to support teen dentistry care?
An important part of teen dentistry is how your teen cares for their teeth at home. There are plenty of things you can do to support them.
Avoid piercings
Oral piercings — tongue, cheeks, and lips — can cause cracked or chipped teeth, receding gums, infection, tongue swelling, breathing difficulties, and blood poisoning. The American Dental Association recommends you avoid them entirely.
Avoid tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco are addictive and can cause oral cancer. Watch out for the signs that your teen is smoking and discuss the dangers with them.
Limit soda
Sugary drinks can contain as much as 18 teaspoons of sugar and are the leading cause of tooth decay in teens. Encourage your child to switch to water and sugar-free drinks.
Avoid sharing toothbrushes
Bacteria cause gum disease and cavities. Unfortunately, it can transfer from one person to another if you share a toothbrush. Make sure your teen knows the risks and keeps their toothbrush to themselves.
Getting into the habit of practicing good dental habits during the teenage years can have lifelong benefits. Make an appointment at one of the Dental Kidz Club locations today — call the office today.
