Adolescent Dentistry

Phoenix & Gilbert, AZ Dentist /

Adolescent Dentistry

Dental Care for Teens

Teenagers often prefer a more mature approach and appreciate pain-free dentistry. The teenage years can be particularly challenging for oral health. With the focus on school, jobs, sports, and social activities, teenagers frequently neglect their oral hygiene. A combination of hormonal changes, poor diet choices, and inconsistent brushing and flossing habits leads many teenagers to develop cavities. Your teen/tween may feel more at ease seeing a family adolescent dentist than a pediatric dentist.

At Harris Dental in Gilbert, AZ, we enjoy interacting with youth and supporting them during this transformative time. Junior high and high school are excellent times to transition your teens to Family Care. During your next appointment, discussing any concerns regarding smile confidence, teeth whitening, or alignment is crucial. If your teen grinds their teeth, we can prescribe a mouth guard to protect their smile. Mouth guards, such as contact sports, may also be necessary for sports with high mouth impact risks. Additionally, many teenagers experience sleep or snoring issues that can be addressed during dental visits.

Your adolescent’s dental appointment is ideal for discussing how lip/tongue piercings or tobacco use affects oral health.

Tips to Help Your Child Get Through the Teen Years Cavity-Free:

Encourage Good Oral Hygiene: A nice smile is crucial to your teen’s self-image. Support your teen in developing and maintaining good brushing and flossing habits.
Self-Care Awareness: Teenagers are self-conscious about their appearance. Poor self-care can result in bad breath, stained teeth, decay, fractures, and other dental problems.
Set a Good Example: Demonstrate good oral hygiene habits yourself. Show that good oral health is a family priority. Your guidance can significantly influence your teen.
Healthy Snacking: Avoid purchasing junk food. Encourage your teen to choose fruits and vegetables for snacks. Limit sodas and sports/energy drinks, which contain sugar and acids that increase the risk of tooth decay.
Educate on Tobacco Risks: Inform your kids about the dangers associated with tobacco use. Smoking and chewing tobacco increase the risk of oral cancer, cavities, gum recession, and gum disease.
Warn About Oral Piercings: Educate teens on the hazards of oral piercings. Mouth jewelry increases the risk of chipped or cracked teeth and bacterial infections.
Promote Mouth Guards: Encourage the use of mouth guards to protect teeth from serious injury and reduce the risk of concussion from a blow to the chin or jaw.
Discuss Eating Disorders: Talk to your teen about the dangers of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, which can lead to erosion of enamel, cavities, gum inflammation, and eventually tooth loss.

At Harris Dental, serving Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, AZ and beyond, we are committed to providing comprehensive dental care for teens. We understand the unique challenges teenagers face with their oral health and strive to offer personalized care that meets their needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our dentists for teens, and help your teen maintain a healthy, confident smile.

Worried About Cavities? Discover Our Invisible Solution!

Don’t let the fear of unsightly metal fillings keep you from addressing tooth decay. At our Gilbert, AZ, practice, we offer modern composite fillings that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. No one will even know you have a filling! Our tooth-colored fillings look great and preserve more of your natural tooth structure. They’re durable, long-lasting, and even contain fluoride to help prevent future decay.

Experiencing tooth sensitivity or discomfort? It might be time for a filling. Don’t wait until it becomes a bigger problem. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation at our Gilbert office. Let’s work together to keep your smile healthy and beautiful!