Dentist for Teens in Charlotte, NC

At our dental practice, we specialize in dentistry for children and teens. Your child’s adolescent and teenage years are times of great change. And part of that change includes their teeth. Their adult teeth have come in and they may feel self-conscious about their smile. It may be the time for treatment with braces and evaluation of wisdom teeth.

Dentistry for adolescents and teens is really no different than dentistry for adults other than the permanent teeth are rather new at this point. This is the most likely time for your child to wear braces that fixes problems such as overcrowding, gaps between teeth, crookedness, and other misalignment issues.

Seeing the dentist regularly is still important at this time, especially if your teen requires braces, which will actually need more dental visits to check their progress.

By the time your child reaches the age of 13, they should have 28 of their permanent teeth in place. The only teeth that are not visible yet are the wisdom teeth.

The wisdom teeth will likely come in when your child is between the ages of 17 and 21, bringing the total of teeth up to 32. However, some people are born with just two or none of their wisdom teeth.

If the wisdom teeth are impacted (beneath the surface) and there is no room for them or they are causing pain, removing them is best.

The right time for your child to wear braces really does vary from child to child. If your child needs braces to straighten their smile, Dr. Webb will let you know.

So, any time could really be the right time. And thanks to orthodontic advances, your child will have several options to choose from, including traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, and self-ligating braces.

In addition to braces, adolescents and teens can wear Invisalign, a series of clear removable aligners that gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment like braces, but invisible.

Invisalign for teens won’t force your teen to make many changes to their lifestyle. There are no diet restrictions and the aligners are easy to clean.

Teeth whitening treatments are available to those of any age who have adult teeth. As long as your teen’s teeth are healthy and strong enough, they can get the treatment as well.

Protecting your child’s teeth is important since they have only adult teeth now.

Make sure your child wears a mouthguard to protect their teeth, especially if they wear braces or Invisalign.

The teenage years can be stressful, so your child may grind their teeth at night. Grinding can also be a sign of an underlying health issue. Dr. Webb will be able to tell if your child is grinding their teeth. Wearing a nightguard will protect the teeth against this grinding.

Teens eat a lot. In fact, the average teen eats up to nine times a day. With so much food being chewed so many times throughout the day, it’s important that your teen brushes their teeth after each meal or snack, or at least one extra midday brushing beyond the normal morning and bedtime cleanings. This will prevent bacteria and plaque buildup.

Tobacco products can cause tooth decay, staining, and gum disease. In addition, tobacco can even cause oral cancer.

Dr. Webb is willing to discuss the dangers of tobacco use with your teen if you feel comfortable. If you would like to discuss this topic with Dr. Webb, please feel free to call our office at (704) 980–0545.

Dentistry for teens and adolescents is important as they continue marching toward adulthood. Dr. Webb has experience treating teens and adolescents and she is ready to help your teen keep their smile clean and healthy.

To make an appointment with Dr. Webb, please schedule an appointment. We proudly serve Charlotte and surrounding communities in North Carolina.