Trips to the Dentist for Teens

Check-ups and Prevention

• The Academy of General Dentistry recommends that teens see a dentist every six months. Prevention is the primary purpose of regular dental visits. The visits include examinations and treatments aimed at preventing problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Regular dental visits help dentists catch problems early and provide treatment or referrals. During dental visits, the dentist and hygienist teach teens about oral health.

X-rays and History

• The X-rays taken during your teen̵7;s dental visit help the dentist monitor the growth of teeth above and below the gums and see potential problems. The dentist or a member of his health care staff takes your teen̵7;s dental and medical history and asks questions about his oral care practices, nutrition and habits like smoking. The dentist requests dental records from other providers and reviews the records if they are available.

Dental Examination and Recommendations

• The dentist looks at your teen̵7;s X-rays and dental records before beginning her examination. She uses dental equipment and tools to examine your teen̵7;s teeth and gums. She looks for plaque on the teeth, inspects the surfaces cavities, checks for loose teeth and probes for evidence of gum disease. The dentist checks your teen̵7;s bite, or the fit of his teeth when pressed together, and looks for problems like crooked teeth or an overbite that might require referral to an orthodontist to determine if your teen needs braces.

Cleaning and Instruction

• The dental hygienist cleans your teen̵7;s teeth using dental tools like a scaler for scraping away plaque or an ultrasonic machine to loosen plaque. After plaque removal, rinsing and polishing to resist future plaque build-up, the hygienist often treats the teeth with a sealant or fluoride to protect against decay. The hygienist talks to your teen about oral health care, such as avoiding sugars and other foods that promote tooth decay, and demonstrates proper flossing and brushing.

Preparing Your Teen for the Visit

• No one enjoys a dental visit, so help prepare your teen for the discomfort by talking about the reasons for the different examination techniques. For instance, measuring the space between the tooth and gums might be painful but the dentist needs that information to assess change over time and detect gum disease. Explain gingivitis, gum disease and plaque. Talk about how cavities happen and why fillings can save a tooth. Information can help your teen understand and tolerate the examination better. Encourage him to ask questions and get the information he needs.