Teen Dentistry Near You

Home » Teen Dentistry Near You

Teen Dentistry Near You

Home » Teen Dentistry Near You

Top-Tier Teen Dentistry

When you get to be a teenager, both feeling good and looking good are very important. Magicland Children’s Dental is your family’s source for all things related to teen dentistry. Education is one of our main concerns for all patients, so we teach teens how their diet affects tooth decay. Breads, dried fruit, and sticky food are harder to clean off teeth. Worse, decay-inducing sugar is found in some surprising places, such as ketchup and salad dressing. Having this knowledge empowers teens to take control of their oral health.

Along with brushing twice and flossing once every day, we recommend regular checkups and cleanings twice a year to keep those smiles gleaming and bright for school pictures and senior portraits. We also emphasize the importance of maintaining good habits for teenage dental health when they get out on their own. Teens are sure to love our experienced, Spanish speaking staff and what they can do. They’re welcome to visit every weekday and Saturday too, so they don’t have to miss school to keep their appointments.

Tooth alignment issues often begin during childhood. At Magicland Children’s Dental, our teen’s orthodontics program is designed to help address such problems and help our younger patients enjoy their smiles to the fullest.

Teen Braces and Orthodontic Services

Straightening crooked teeth is a significant part of dental care for teens. Too often, they’re forced to go to a different office and start over with an unfamiliar doctor. Not so with us. Your teen can come to the same convenient location for orthodontic treatment that safely and gently helps perfect those smiles. We have a designated area where teens can relax in a setting suited to them.

Gentle Wisdom Teeth Removal

These last molars typically come in between the ages of 14 and 18, sometimes causing pain and infection. To spare your teen from these troubles, we check wisdom teeth for health and position during regular exams.

However, if there are ever any concerns or noticeable changes, please don’t hesitate to call and come in for an evaluation. That’s what our emergency services are for. Wisdom tooth extraction is best done by a qualified dentist your teen already knows and trusts. Magicland Children’s Dental is the practice that is perfect for maintaining the health and beauty of your teen’s smile.

FAQ

How long should I brush my teeth?

It might be a good idea to brush with the radio on, since dentists generally recommend brushing three to four minutes, the average length of a song. Using an egg timer is another way to measure your brushing time. Patients generally think they’re brushing longer, but most spend less than a minute brushing. To make sure you’re doing a thorough job and not missing any spots, patients are advised to brush the full three to four minutes twice a day, instead of brushing quickly five or more times through the day.

What is the best way to brush your teeth?

There are a number of effective brushing techniques. Patients are advised to check with their dentist or hygienist to determine which technique is best for them, since tooth position and gum condition vary. One effective, easy-to-remember technique involves using a circular or elliptical motion to brush a couple of teeth at a time, gradually covering the entire mouth. Place a toothbrush beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth in an elliptical motion. Brush the outside of the teeth, inside the teeth, your tongue, the chewing surfaces and between teeth. Using a back-and-forth motion causes the gum surface to recede, can expose the root surface or make the root surface tender. You also risk wearing down the gum line.

Should I brush at work?

Definitely, but most Americans don’t brush during the workday. Yet a survey by Oral-B Laboratories and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) shows if you keep a toothbrush at work, the chances you will brush during the day increase by 65 percent. Getting the debris off teeth right away stops sugary snacks from turning to damaging acids and catches starchy foods like potato chips before they turn to cavity-causing sugar. If you brush with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before going to bed, you don’t even need to use toothpaste at work. You can just brush and rinse before heading back to your desk. If you don’t have a toothbrush, rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after lunch also helps.

Should I use over-the-counter dental instruments?

As more oral health product manufacturers introduce dental instruments to the consumer market, more patients are seeking treatment as a result of misuse of these devices, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). AGD spokesperson Heidi Hausauer, DDS, says she frequently sees devices that resemble a scaler – an instrument used by dentists and dental hygienists for removing tartar and other deposits from the tooth surface – advertised in magazines and sold in drug stores. “I’ve had people come into the office who have used these over-the-counter dental instruments and chipped their front tooth with them,” she says. “I’ve seen patients gauge roots and chip the enamel off lower incisors.” Misuse of the devices also can lead to periodontal (gum) abscesses when tartar is pushed under the gumline. While dentists and hygienists are trained in the proper use of dental instruments and removing tartar, they warn that patients attempting to do it themselves at home may do more harm than good. Rather than attempt to advise patients on proper use of these devices, many tell their patients it is safest to avoid using them at all. “I would rather see the dentist or hygienist remove tartar,” says Dr. Hausauer. “Regular professional cleaning and dental visits are much healthier than buying something over the counter and picking at your teeth.”

Why should I floss?

Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces and controls bad breath. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chances of keeping your teeth a lifetime and decrease your chance of having periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay. Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than the toothbrush. Many people just don’t spend enough time flossing and many have never been taught to floss properly. When you visit your dentist or hygienist, ask to be shown.

Which type of floss should I use?

Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, wide and regular. Wide floss, or dental tape, may be helpful for people with a lot of bridge work. Tapes are usually recommended when the spaces between teeth are wide. They all clean and remove plaque about the same. Waxed floss might be easier to slide between tight teeth or tight restorations. However, the unwaxed floss makes a squeaking sound to let you know your teeth are clean. Bonded unwaxed floss does not fray as easily as regular unwaxed floss but does tear more than waxed floss.

How often should I floss?

At least once a day. To give your teeth a good flossing, spend at least two or three minutes.

What can I do about sensitive teeth?