If your teen is heading out for their first year of college this school year, congratulations! It’s not easy getting them there, and that’s a great achievement. But before they pack up their books and head to their dorm room, you’ll want to make sure that their oral health is protected. Here are 5 of the most important things you can do to protect your teen’s oral health before they leave for college:
Oral exams allow for dentists like Dr. Brock to take a look at your teen’s mouth and look for signs of issues like gum disease or cavities. It’s best to get this out of the way before your teen goes away to college, or they may have a hard time finding a dentist to treat these issues!
You can schedule a teeth cleaning for your teen along with a routine check-up and oral exam. A professional cleaning will ensure your teen’s smile looks and feels great before they head off to school.
You’ll need to think about timing, too. It’s best to schedule an appointment every six months. So, if you schedule a consultation for your teen in August, they’ll need to come back in February or March. If you can time it so that this overlaps with Spring Break or another holiday, for example, this will make it easier for them to see the dentist at the proper interval.
Wisdom teeth start to come in at the age of 17-25, and usually must be extracted. This is because most people do not have enough room in their mouths for this third set of molars to erupt properly, leading to infection and other such complications.
We recommend bringing your teen in for a consultation where they can get x-rays and Dr. Brock can check their wisdom teeth to determine if they need to be removed before they go off to college.
Teeth whitening is more affordable and convenient than ever. If your teen seems to be self-conscious about their smile, you may want to consider asking if they want to have their teeth whitened. A bright, white smile can make your teen feel more confident and help them put their best foot forward when they start attending college.
If your teen never had braces, but has some crooked teeth, Invisalign may be a good option. Invisalign is completely invisible and subtle, so your teen can straighten their teeth without the social stigma of braces.
College is a tough time for teens, and it’s a tough time for parents who are having their children leave the nest for the first time. But with dental care for teens from Big Picture Pediatric Dentistry, you can at least make sure that your teen has their oral health protected when they go off to school!
So don’t wait. Schedule an appointment now by giving us a call at (281) 461-7470, or stop by our office at 17150 El Camino Real, Houston TX 77058 to schedule your teen’s consultation in person.
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