Pediatric dentistry is a unique specialty not just because working with kids requires some skill, but because understanding the needs of a patient with a growing jaw requires a fair amount of specialized knowledge.
When your child enters adolescence, they may want to make the switch over to seeing a general dentist; however, the expertise of a pediatric dentist can still be useful for them. Here are a few ways that your teen can benefit from still seeing a pediatric dentist.
1. Teenagers are Still Growing
Even if your teenager’s height and weight start to even out, there may be a good chance that their jaws and faces are still growing. A general dentist will be able to help your teeth, but a pediatric dentist will have a unique understanding of how to facilitate the growth of the jaw and teeth. For that reason, it’s recommended that people see their pediatric dentist until their jaw stops growing, between the ages of 18-22.
2. A Record of the Past
When your child visited their dentist at an early age, they weren’t just looking at the teeth that had sprouted already—they probably took x-rays to examine the teeth below the surface as well. When they do that, they often make note of orthodontic issues that they’re likely to have somewhere down the line.
Once your child hits adolescence and becomes interested in getting braces, those records become invaluable. By keeping in touch with your child’s pediatric dentist, they can help you make use of the data that they’ve accumulated to make orthodontic treatment easier for your child.
3. A Relationship of Trust
Ultimately, the most important thing about your dentist, besides their clinical expertise, is that you and your child can trust them. By maintaining a relationship with a pediatric dentist into adolescence, you can know that your family is getting the highest quality of dental care possible from someone that has their best interest at heart.
While your child may want to move on to a general dentist, as you can see there are plenty of reasons that a pediatric dentist is irreplaceable for teens.
About Our Practice
At Capezio Loiben Pediatric Dentistry, you can feel reassured that your family’s peace of mind is always our number one priority. We know that every patient has different needs, so we take the time to understand everyone as an individual and tailor our treatment to their individual needs. This personalized approach means our patients not only receive a higher quality of care but come to trust their dentist much more.
If you have any questions about the benefits of seeing a pediatric dentist, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (847) 459-9100.