Teen Dentistry

teen dentistry Charlottesville VA

At Children’s Dentistry of Charlottesville, we understand teenagers may feel caught in the middle; not only in life, but in their dental care as well.

Often, pediatric dental offices will transition their adolescent patients to a general dental office once the patient loses their baby teeth. While this transition may be appropriate from a care perspective since the patient now has adult teeth, teenagers are often emotionally and developmentally more similar to children than adults.

Teenagers require dental care focused on their unique dental and emotional needs.

teenage girl with sunglasses jumping

What is Different About Dental Care for Teens?

At Children’s Dentistry of Charlottesville, we provide an environment where our teenage dental patients feel comfortable, highlighted by:

  • A dental team mindful of each patient’s individual developmental stage
  • Treatment areas with televisions so patients can watch movies
  • The opportunity for patients to choose music if they want something listen to during dental appointments
  • A selection of sedation options for teenagers who can’t tolerate dental treatments
teenage boy in orange hoodie

The Importance of a Teenager’s Oral Health

The oral health habits your children develop during their teenage years will inform their oral healthcare for the rest of their lives. We work with both teens and their parents to develop good dental and nutritional habits so their teeth stay strong for a lifetime.

Given the difficulty getting teenagers to take ownership of their health, we stress to parents the increased importance of bi-annual dental appointments. This, in conjunction with a diet that avoids “high-risk” foods such as sugary drinks and junk foods, can help set your child up for success.

teenage girls surrounded by flowers

A Dental Home for Teenagers

Children’s Dentistry of Charlottesville takes teen oral health seriously. In addition to general dentistry services, teens also have a number of concerns that are particularly important. These include:

  • Sports Injuries: These are common for active teens and should be addressed immediately.
  • Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth can pose a number of problems. Sometimes they fail to erupt into their proper position, sometimes they develop into a site of infection, sometimes they are difficult to adequately clean with routine brushing and flossing. We will help monitor your child’s developing wisdom teeth and help perform the extraction procedures in our office if necessary.
  • Braces and Cosmetic Issues: Crooked teeth can be damaging to a teen’s self-image. We will help monitor your child’s need for braces and can help coordinate orthodontic procedures if necessary.

In addition to these unique situations, we offer the following services to teenagers in our Charlottesville dental office.

Dental Exams

We develop unique treatment plans with parents to get your teen on a path to great oral health.

Our dental exams include:

  • Orthodontic assessments
  • Dental x-rays
  • Disease, infection, gum disease, and tooth decay evaluation

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Dental Cleanings

Brushing and flossing won’t keep teen’s teeth truly clean alone. They also need regular dental cleanings at least twice a year.

During your teen’s dental cleaning, we’ll:

  • Remove all plaque deposits
  • Polish and remove stains and rough areas

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Restorative Care

Even if your teen brushes and flosses everyday, tooth decay can still become a problem. We can help restore your teen’s bright smile!

Our restorative care services include:

  • Composite & amalgam fillings
  • Crowns & bridges
  • Other minimally-invasive treatment options

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Ongoing Care & Maintenance

The earlier we identify issues in your teenager’s teeth, the quicker we can get started on fixing them and preventing further damage!

Our ongoing care plan includes…

  • Regular cleanings and exams
  • Dental x-rays
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Consultations with our experienced medicaid dentists

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“The staff and providers at this practice are incredible! They care so much about the kids and go out of their way to cater to their needs and provide exceptional service. I would not hesitate to bring my children here for any dental needs as the quality of care is amazing.”
– Jeremy W.

Call Children’s Dentistry of Charlottesville at (434) 817-1817 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help your teenager.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept insurance or Medicaid?

Yes! We accept Medicaid and many other insurance plans, including those from:

  • Guardian
  • Metlife
  • Cigna
  • United Concordia
  • Delta Dental
  • Anthem

My teen has special needs and has trouble at the dentist. Will you still work with him?

Yes! In most cases, we can perform basic dental exams for teenagers with special needs. All our dentists have experience working with special needs teenagers, including those with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and dental anxiety.
We’re committed to ensuring your teens get the care they need and deserve. If you have any questions or concerns about your special needs teenager’s dental care, do not hesitate to give us a call.

How often does my teenager need a dental exam?

Teenagers in particular should receive two dental exams a year. In some cases, additional exams could be needed for more extensive dental treatment.

Should I be looking for anything between dental exams?

While most issues will be caught early on with two dental exams every year, you should be on the lookout for some things in-between appointments. These include:

  • Temperature sensitivity in the teeth
  • Gums that are swollen or bleeding
  • Damage to fillings, crowns, or other dental restorations
  • Mouth pain, including teeth, tongue, or jaw pain
  • Difficulty while chewing or swallowing
  • Continuous bad breath even with brushing and flossing

If any of these are popping up in your teen, contact us to see if you should schedule an additional exam.

Ready to Schedule an Appointment?

Call (434) 234-4082 today

Contact Us Online