Adolescent Dentistry

Dental Care for Teens

Teenagers don’t want to go to a dentist for little kids – they appreciate mature interaction with shot free dentistry. The teenage years can be especially hard on teeth. Teenagers are often so preoccupied with school, jobs, sports, and social activities that they neglect their oral health. The combination of hormonal changes, poor dietary choices, and neglecting to brush and floss regularly is why many teenagers develop cavities. Your teen/tween may be more comfortable seeking treatment from a family adolescent dentist rather than a pediatric dentist.

Dr. Bollwinkel enjoys interaction with youth and helping them during this transforming time of life. Jr. High and High school are a great time to switch your teens to Family Care. At your next appointment it is important to discuss concerns regarding smile confidence, teeth whitening or alignment. If your teen grinds their teeth, a mouthguard could be prescribed to protect their smile. Mouth guards may also be needed for contact sports or other activities where there is a high likelihood of impact to the mouth. In addition, many teenagers have issue with sleep or snoring that can be addressed during their dental appointment.

Your adolescent’s visit to the dentist is a great time to bring up how lip/tongue piercings or tobacco usage effect oral health.

Tips to help your child get through the teen years cavity-free:

A nice smile is important to your teen’s self-image. You can encourage and support your teen in developing and continuing good brushing and flossing habits.
Teenagers are self-conscious and care about how they look. The fact is, poor self-care can lead to embarrassment caused by bad breath, stained teeth, decays, fractures, and other dental problems.
Setting a good example is crucial with this age group. Take good care of your own teeth so that your teenager can see that good oral health is one of your family’s values. You might be surprised to find out how much weight your advice and guidance can carry with a teen!
Avoid buying junk food. Encourage your teen to choose fruits and vegetables for snacking. Steer clear of sodas as well as sports and energy drinks. The sugar and acids found in these popular beverages increase the risk for tooth decay.
Teach your kids about the risks associated with tobacco. Not only does smoking and chewing tobacco increase the risk for oral cancer, tobacco use can also lead to cavities, gum recession, and gum disease.
Teach teens about the hazards associated with oral piercings. Mouth jewelry increases the risk for chipped or cracked teeth and even bacterial infections.
Encourage the use of mouth guards since they can protect teeth from serious injury and may even reduce e risk of a concussion from a blow to the chin or jaw.
Talk to your teen about eating disorders. Conditions such as anorexia and bulimia can lead to erosion of enamel, cavities, and inflammation of the gums, and can eventually cause tooth loss.

Arizona Smile Center
Cosmetic Dentistry

Family Dentistry

Preventative Child Dentistry Periodontal Maintenance Teeth Cleaning & Dental Checkups Gum Disease Laser Therapy Oral Hygiene Adolescent Dentistry Snoring (Child & Adult) Sedation Dentistry Dental Anxiety Oral Sedation IV Sedation Emergency Dental

Dental Anxiety

If you have a fear of dental work

Stuffy offices, callous interactions, dental anxiety and unpleasant procedures can prevent you from getting the dental care you need. At Arizona Smile Center, we’re determined to change all this! In our crisp modern office, you’ll be offered state-of-the-art solutions served with small-town hospitality. Our team is so friendly and skilled, you’ll consider them family as they compassionately care for your dental needs.

Our patients’ health and safety are our top priorities. As leaders in the community, we are raising the standard of care again by using the Solea laser and HEPA air purification systems in addition to our rigorous PPE protocol. Our Solea lasers allow for Shot-Free / Drill Free procedures and reduces dental splatter and aerosols by up to 99.9% compared to traditional handpieces. In addition to the laser we offer oral and other sedations to reduce dental fears.