{"id":52,"date":"2026-07-28T13:06:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T13:06:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jolietkidsdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=52"},"modified":"2026-07-28T13:07:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T13:07:40","slug":"do-teens-need-a-pediatric-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jolietkidsdentistry.com\/blog\/do-teens-need-a-pediatric-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Does My Teen Still Need a Pediatric Dentist?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Try as they might to convince you otherwise, your teen is not yet an adult. Still, they aren\u2019t exactly a child either. This can be very confusing when deciding whether to take them to a general or a pediatric dentist<\/a>. \u00a0However, although they may already have all their permanent teeth, and may even have developed (and in some cases, removed) their wisdom teeth, it is still recommended to bring them to pediatric dentist until they\u2019re at least 18 years old. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Not Done Growing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although your child may have already stopped gaining height at around age 16, their body is not done growing the moment they turn 18. In fact, for young men, the jaw isn\u2019t fully developed until around age 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pediatric dentist specializes in treating patients who have not stopped growing and is the best person to help navigate any changes to the head, jaw, and mouth as your child continues to develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They May Have Wisdom Tooth Trouble<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although not everyone will get wisdom teeth, it is not uncommon for children to develop anywhere between one and six of these pesky third molars. While in some cases they aren\u2019t problematic enough to remove, they can often cause a lot of damage if left in place, including crowding, an increased risk of cavities and gum disease due to difficulty cleaning, and even damage to nearby teeth and the jaw. In those cases, it helps to have a pediatric dentist keeping tabs on them as they erupt; this way, because they have a more complete picture of your child\u2019s overall oral health history, they can recommend extraction (if necessary) at the appropriate time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They Could Have Alignment Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As your child\u2019s mouth grows and they begin to lose their primary (baby) teeth, their permanent teeth can sometimes grow in crooked, crowded, or have a \u201cbad\u201d bite. Their pediatric dentist will not only monitor these changes over time, but they can also make recommendations for your child\u2019s smile even after they\u2019ve hit legal adulthood. Although it\u2019s never \u201ctoo late\u201d to undergo orthodontic treatment, it\u2019s a lot easier to realign your child\u2019s smile when they\u2019re younger and their ligaments are a bit more malleable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Still Learning Proper Hygiene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s likely that you\u2019ve been promoting excellent oral hygiene with your child since they were old enough to maneuver their own toothbrush, there\u2019s no such thing as mastering proper brushing and flossing. In fact, even your teen\u2019s pediatric dentist will likely pick up a trick or two along the way. Thus, even if they have done well avoiding things like cavities and gum disease, it can still be extremely beneficial for them to continue seeing their pediatric dentist until they\u2019re an adult. This way, their dentist can offer helpful hints, advice, and education while your teenager is still young enough to adapt their techniques to avoid future oral health issues that could be painful and expensive to correct later!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, while your teen may insist they\u2019re not a kid anymore, their smile tells a different story. So, don\u2019t be in a rush to switch them to a general dentist just yet. Until they\u2019re at least 18 years old, your child\u2019s pediatric dentist is still the best person to help care for their growing grin, helping ensure it stays healthy and strong for a lifetime!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Our Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Joliet Pediatric Dentistry<\/a>, Dr. Hill and Dr. Jackson understand that caring for a teenager\u2019s teeth requires many special considerations that are unique to their age group. While your young adult may be in a rush to grow up, it\u2019s important to maintain a consistent oral health routine including visiting a pediatric dentist adept at understanding and caring for their growing grin. To safeguard your teen\u2019s smile, schedule their checkup and cleaning with us today by visiting our website<\/a> or calling 815-729-2277.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Try as they might to convince you otherwise, your teen is not yet an adult. Still, they aren\u2019t exactly a child either. This can be very confusing when deciding whether to take them to a general or a pediatric dentist. \u00a0However, although they may already have all their permanent teeth, and may even have developed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nDoes My Teen Still Need a Pediatric Dentist? | Joliet Pediatric Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Curious about whether you should keep bringing your teenager to a pediatric dentist? 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