An oral examination is a window into a person's overall physical health and from just 2-3 years of age, a child should have regular dental examinations to ensure that all is well with teeth and gums. When a child reaches the age of 11 or 12, their body begins to change, as hormones are secreted and this is the time for the dreaded acne, or teens spots, as they are often called.
Tooth Decay
As a child grows, they become more susceptible to teeth decay, which is largely to do with a sugar-based diet and if your dentist finds evidence of cavities, they would have to be filled as soon as possible. When the dentist finds tooth decay, they drill out the cavity, making sure to remove all the decaying material, then he or she applies white composite material to fill the cavity. All parents should closely monitor their children's diet, making sure they do not consume too much sugar, as this is a major source of tooth decay.
Wisdom Teeth
These are the large molars that usually erupt during the later teen years and while wisdom teeth do not always erupt incorrectly, if there are crowding issues, the dentist would recommend treatment, which might be extraction. If your child complains of a dull toothache or develops a gum infection, this could be due to an incorrectly growing wisdom tooth. It is essential that any misalignment issues are detected early, which is why you should schedule regular dental examinations.
Orthodontics
As teeth erupt, this can lead to overcrowding, and in such a case, the dentist can use wire braces to straighten the teeth, or it might be best to use Invisalign, a clear plastic aligner device that does the same job as wire braces, which can be removed when eating. If your son or daughter does have misaligned teeth, talk to an orthodontist in Sydney or in the area where you are residing about possible treatments, which would rectify the problem over a period of months.
Playing Contact Sports
If your child loves to play football, soccer or rugby, you should ensure that they always wear a mouthguard, which protects the teeth and gums. Losing a tooth is a very real possibility when playing contact sports and you can buy mouthguards that you place in hot water, then wear the device and it will mould to the shape of your palette. Your child can carry the mouthguard in a special case and it can be worn while playing sports.
Good Communication
It is important to have good communication with your teenage child and if they have any minor oral issues, they should communicate this to their parents, and with an oral examination every few months, if there are any issues, the dentist can carry out prompt treatment to minimize any damage.
Self-Consciousness
It is perfectly normal for a teenager to become more concerned about their appearance, as they enter into puberty and this might mean your child notices their teeth are misaligned. This is something to discuss with the orthodontist, who would recommend a treatment to straighten the teeth over a period of months. Invisalign is a very effective way to straighten teeth, which is a clear plastic device that can be removed and when worn, the device is not visible.