Once your adolescent reaches the teen years, he or she should have all of his permanent teeth except
for the four wisdom teeth (which appear around age 16.) A good appearance is especially
important to pre-teens and teens, so it can be easy to motivate them to practice good oral
care habits to insure a healthy and beautiful smile.
Some pre-teens and teenagers may wear braces (orthodontic appliances) on
their teeth. Orthodontics is the area of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, prevention
and treatment of teeth that are twisted, overlapping or do not fit together properly.
Unless your teen continues to have problems with cavities, he or she
will not require continued use of fluoride supplements after his or her permanent teeth
completely appear as the teeth should be well protected from decay.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will my teen have all
of his permanent teeth?
Your teen will begin to replace his baby teeth with permanent teeth from
around age six until age 12 or 13. At this time he or she will have a complete set of 32
permanent teeth. The wisdom teeth are the last to appear at around age 16.
Should my teen be
receiving additional fluoride?
Unless your teen continues to have problems with cavities, he or she
will not require continued use of fluoride supplements after his or her permanent teeth
completely appear as the teeth should be well protected from decay.
My teen's teeth are
crooked and overlap. At what age should he begin wearing braces?
Orthodontic treatment (wearing braces) usually begins around age 10
although braces can be worn at any age.
Made of metal or plastic, braces include brackets attached to the teeth
and wires that connect them. Pressure to move the teeth is caused by adjusting the wires
regularly.
The length of time a person wears braces depends on age, the severity of
the problem and the condition of the mouth. However, the average teen wears braces for
18-30 months. After the braces are removed, a removable retainer must be worn for several
months to hold the teeth in their proper position until they're more secure.
What is the proper way for my teen
to brush and floss?
Your teen should brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and with a
toothbrush that has soft bristles and a small head for those hard-to-reach back teeth. A
thorough job of brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of
his/her teeth.
Every teen should floss once a day to remove plaque from between teeth
and under the gumline where a toothbrush cannot reach.
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