pediatric dentist

They might already have all their permanent teeth or are waiting for only a few more to appear, but their jaw and facial structures are still growing and changing.

Many parents are unsure about when it’s time to take their child to a general dentist instead of a pediatric one. Teenagers are already dealing with a lot of changes in their bodies and behavior, and it’s easy to get confused about how to treat them from now on.

When it comes to dentistry, these decisions should be made based on the physiology of your child and what their specific needs are in terms of oral health and treatments.

So, should your teen continue seeing his or her pediatric dentist? The answer is yes. The recommended age for switching to a general dentist is 18 years old. Until then, a pediatric dentist is the most qualified to work with their changing physiology and specific dental issues.

Why Should Your Teen Be Seen by a Pediatric Dentist?

Even though our teens often baffle us with how much they start acting and looking like young adults, their bodies are still going through important changes at this age. They might already have all their permanent teeth or are waiting for only a few more to appear, but their jaw and facial structures are still growing and changing.

Another common characteristic of this age group is the prevalence of orthodontic treatments. In other words, a teen is more likely to wear braces than a young child or an adult, which makes their dental needs a bit more specific.

Seeing their pediatric dentist through their teenage years also has another great advantage: their doctor will know their history very well, and there will be a solid relationship already established between them. Even if your child would like to change doctors, you should still search for a pediatric dentist who can address the age-specific issues.

Educating Teens about Oral Health

Education doesn’t stop through your child’s teenage years. They may be able to properly brush their teeth on their own or make certain decisions independently, but they are still prone to neglecting their oral health or having bad habits for their teeth. Common problems during the teenage years are procrastination, unhealthy foods in their diet, starting bad habits like smoking, etc.

When Is the Time to Switch to a General Dentist?

As mentioned before, the recommended age when your child should start seeing a regular dentist is 18. By that time, their permanent teeth have replaced all baby teeth and their face and jaw are fully developed. Don’t hesitate to ask your child’s St. Louis pediatric dentist about this and address any other questions you may have.

St. Louis Pediatric Dentistry

Finding a pediatric dentist for special needs can sometimes be challenging. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, our pediatric dental anesthesia specialists have advanced training that allows them to interact positively with children who have anxiety and special needs. Our office is fully equipped to accommodate patients with special needs, allowing us to deliver care in an environment that is relaxed and comfortable for you and your child.

The natural process of losing baby teeth should be expected somewhere around 6 years of age.

Children grow amazingly fast in the first years of life, and parents are sometimes taken by surprise by this rollercoaster of mental leaps and growth spurts that come one after the other. Witnessing such rapid development is a delightful spectacle, but it can also leave some of us a bit confused and unsure of what’s going on with our little ones.

While it is helpful to hear experiences from other parents and look at growth and development charts, comparing your child to others can generally be irrelevant and may even be harmful for your emotions. However, certain standards are meant to be met to rule out any abnormalities and underlying issues.

With baby teeth, it is not possible to predict exactly what the growth rate will be, nor how fast will they be replaced by permanent ones. However, it is good to know that certain exceeded limits can be considered a symptom of a bigger problem.

My Child Lost His Baby Teeth Too Soon

Your St. Louis pediatric dentist will tell you that the natural process of losing baby teeth should be expected somewhere around 6 years of age. If your child is losing one or more of his baby teeth sooner than that, there may be something else causing it.

The main possible causes of premature baby teeth loss are trauma and tooth decay. If the tooth loss is sudden and associated with pain, you should have your child checked by a dentist. They will evaluate the damage and decide how to best handle this situation.

Many parents don’t think that baby teeth are such a big deal since they will be lost anyway. However, their health is crucial to the health of permanent teeth. Baby teeth that are lost too soon may cause a misalignment in permanent teeth, which can lead to bad occlusion, tooth decay, cavities, and so on. So it is not a good decision to just let it be and wait for the problem to pass, as it almost always gets worse if left untreated.

What your St. Louis pediatric dentist can do, however, is to fit your child spacers, braces or other dental fixtures that will keep the proper spacing between the permanent teeth and help them align nicely.

When to Go to the Dentist

Many people go to the dentist only when their problem does not go away and it causes so much pain that they can no longer treat it at home. This approach to oral health is not effective and often leaves you with long term problems and complications. Your child should be seen by a dentist regularly even when there is no apparent problem. Regular check-ups will help the doctor monitor the little one’s development and the health of their teeth and gums.

If you believe that your child has lost a baby tooth too early, don’t hesitate to speak with an experienced dentist. Call The Dental Anesthesia Center at (314) 862-7844.