Dentist Aurora


As teenagers grow older, they have more and more obligations—club meetings, track practice, play rehearsals, standardized testing prep, the list goes on. It can be hard to follow which appointments need to be made and when. We’re here to help! Read on to make sure you’re not missing any possible dentist appointments that your teen may need to schedule.

1. If they play sports…

Sports are excellent for building your child’s self-esteem, social skills, and sense of teamwork. Unfortunately, injuries are often part of the equation as well—particularly with contact sports. In order to protect our kids as best we can, it is important that they have their full protective gear, including a mouth guard. Mouth guards can prevent teens from knocking out their teeth, dislocating their jaw joints, fracturing their teeth, and more. Therefore, if your child is involved in sports, make sure they visit the dentist to get a customized mouth guard before their first practice.

2. If they’re over the age of 15…

When your child reaches the age of 15, they can look forward to growing in one final set of teeth known as the “wisdom teeth.” More often than not, our mouths do not have enough room to accommodate these new molars. This lack of space can result in the teeth growing in sideways or getting stuck beneath the surface of the gums, also known as becoming “impacted.” Unfortunately, impacted teeth can cause all kinds of problems—from gum disease, to decay, to damage of the surrounding teeth. In order to prevent these complications, it is important that your teen visits the dentist early and often. This will allow them to monitor the growth of your child’s wisdom teeth using x-rays, and will determine the best course of action, which often includes surgical extraction.

3. If they have misaligned teeth…

You may remember a time in which it seemed like a rite of passage for a teenager to have braces. These days, however, there are many orthodontic treatment options for both children and adults! Invisalign, for example, can straighten your child’s teeth both quickly and discretely. Therefore, once your child has all of their permanent teeth, you may want to consider bringing them to an orthodontist to see what kind of treatment they need. After all, misaligned teeth can lead to tooth decay and even TMJ pain if not treated properly.

4. If they haven’t made a visit in a while…

Just as we take our teens for regular physicals, it is important to bring them to regular dental check-ups as well. According to the American Dental Association, patients of all ages should see the dentist at least once every six months. This is especially important for teens, as they tend to gravitate towards junk food, sports drinks, and soda. Regular visits to the dentist can prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, and more.

To schedule your teen’s next dentist appointment and protect their oral health, call Aurora Dental Group today!