The teen years bring new dental questions, from wisdom teeth to keeping teeth clean around braces. Our Los Angeles team helps teens stay healthy and take more ownership of their care.
DENTAL CARE FOR ADOLESCENTS
Between school, sports and social plans, teens often snack more, sip sweetened drinks and rush through brushing, which can raise cavity risk. This is also when wisdom teeth start to develop and many teens are wearing braces or aligners, so routine checkups take on extra importance.
At Trusted Dental & Orthodontics, we talk directly with teens, explain what we see and give them practical steps they can manage on their own, while keeping parents in the loop.
WHAT WE OFFER
Preventive care and practical help for the dental concerns that come up most during the teen years.
Checkups and cleanings, typically every six months, to catch cavities early and keep gums healthy through the teen years.
Brackets and clear aligners can trap food and plaque. We show teens how to clean around them and watch for early signs of decay.
Second molars usually arrive in the early teens. Sealants and fluoride varnish can add protection while snacks and sports drinks are common.
A custom mouthguard is made from impressions of your teen's teeth for a comfortable fit that helps protect teeth during contact sports.
Periodic X-rays let us follow wisdom teeth as they develop and recommend removal only if they are likely to cause problems.
For older teens with healthy teeth and gums, professional whitening may be an option before graduation or other big events. We evaluate first.
BUILDING INDEPENDENCE
Teens are starting to manage more of their own routines, and dental care is part of that. We talk with teens about how frequent snacking, sweetened drinks and skipped flossing can affect their teeth and gums, and we set simple goals they can track themselves. Habits formed now often carry into adulthood.
WHY CHOOSE US
We respect teens' time and opinions, explain things clearly and coordinate dental and orthodontic care in one place.
If your teen needs braces or aligners, orthodontist Dr. Nathan Nourian offers Invisalign, metal and ceramic braces here, coordinated with their dental checkups.
We talk with teens, not just about them. They get straight answers and a real say in decisions about their own care.
Late-afternoon appointments Monday through Thursday, Monday evenings until 7pm and Saturday hours help teens avoid missing class.
Most PPO plans accepted, with CareCredit, Sunbit and Cherry financing. If orthodontics is needed, braces start as low as $87/month.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers to questions teens and parents ask about dental care during the teen years.
With braces, brushing around each bracket and along the gumline, plus flossing with a threader or orthodontic floss, helps remove trapped plaque. With aligners, teens should brush before putting the trays back in and clean the aligners as directed. We can show your teen these techniques at their next cleaning.
We typically start watching wisdom teeth in the mid-to-late teens using X-rays taken at checkups. If a wisdom tooth looks impacted, is crowding other teeth or causes repeated problems, we may recommend wisdom teeth removal. Not every teen needs them removed.
Professional whitening may be an option for older teens whose permanent teeth have fully come in and whose teeth and gums are healthy. Your dentist will check for cavities and sensitivity first and recommend the safest approach. It is usually best to wait until braces come off.
If your teen plays a contact sport or one with a risk of falls or impacts, a mouthguard is a good idea. A custom-fitted guard is made from impressions of your teen's teeth, so it tends to fit more comfortably than a store-bought one. Ask us about options if your teen wears braces.
Teen dentistry covers checkups, cleanings, cavity prevention, wisdom teeth monitoring and mouthguards. Teen orthodontics focuses on straightening teeth and correcting the bite with braces or aligners. Both are available in our Los Angeles office, so cleanings and orthodontic visits can often be coordinated.
Schedule a teen checkup at Trusted Dental & Orthodontics in Los Angeles. If braces or aligners come up, orthodontic consultations are free.