Dental Procedures Your Teenager May Need
Although dental care is pertinent throughout your lifetime, your needs will differ depending on the stage of your life. Thus, if you have children, you should bear in mind that teenagers would have vastly different dental care needs from younger children as well as from adults. Knowing these diverse needs will ensure that you are aware of which various procedures you may have to consider for your teenager. Here are just a few of the different cosmetic and restorative treatments that your child may need during their teenage years.
Root canal therapy
One thing about teenagers is that they are prone to keeping medical problems from their parents until they become exacerbated. As a result, what started as an innocuous cavity that could have easily been treated can become aggravated, resulting in extensive damage to the pulp tissue of the tooth. Once the nerves in the tooth have become infected, your teen will require root canal therapy to eliminate the damaged tissue and prevent further decay from occurring inside the tooth. When looking into dental plans for your family, it would be advisable to establish whether this course of treatment would be included in your insurance, as chances are your child may need it.
Whitening procedures
Some people assume that teeth whitening is a procedure more commonly performed on adults. In reality, your child may require teeth whitening in their teenage years if you would like to prevent severe discolouration of their teeth. Professional whitening may be particularly essential for teens who have a high affinity to soft drinks, as the consumption of these beverages will lead to yellowing of their teeth. Professional whitening, rather than opting for home bleaching kits, ensures that the process is not excessive and protects your child's teeth from damage from whitening agents.
Coloured fillings
Another restorative treatment that is commonly needed by teenagers is tooth-coloured fillings. Individuals are more likely to develop cavities during their teen years, as they may not be taking their oral hygiene as seriously as they should. In years past, metal fillings were the standard option, but these were conspicuous and would detract from the aesthetics of your child's teeth. If they have developed a cavity, you should consider tooth-coloured fillings that will remedy the problem while camouflaging it, too. As they become adults, the cavities will remain hidden, and they will not have to change their tooth-coloured fillings unless they have deteriorated.
Contact your dentist for additional advice.