Blog Summary Is your teen ready for a general dentist? Learn when it’s time to transition from pediatric care and how to make the move smooth and stress-free.
Since age one, your child has been visiting a kids’ dentist, accustomed to the familiarity of their kids’ dentist’s office—the colorful waiting room, the friendly faces of the dental team, and the smaller instruments used for children’s smaller mouths.
Now that your child is in high school, they’ll eventually switch to seeing a general dentist who can care for their oral health through adulthood.
There is no precise age when that change should occur. It’s a transition that takes time based on your teen’s readiness.
Here are practical tips to help your teen make this change confidently.
Treat the Transition as a Window, Not a Deadline
Most teens make this move often around the last year of high school. Think of this time frame as a window that opens gradually, rather than targeting an exact age. Your teen might already be independent, attending their dental appointment without you in the office. Others benefit from staying put a little longer, especially if they're in the middle of orthodontic treatment, have significant dental anxiety, or have a chronic health condition or disability that requires specialized, coordinated care.
Start the Conversation About Switching Dentists Early
Bring the topic up naturally about a year or two before you need to act on it. Ask your teen how they feel about their dentist’s office—do they still enjoy it or feel like it's for little kids? Starting the conversation early gives your teen a say in the decision.
Ask Your Pediatric Dentist When to Make the Switch
Your teen's current dental team has watched them grow up and knows their full history. At a regular checkup, ask the pediatric dentist if it’s time to start considering a general dentist. Pediatric practices can offer an opinion based on your teen's maturity and alert you to any unfinished treatment plans that should wrap up before switching offices.
How to Choose a General Dentist for Your Teen
Ask your teen’s dentist for a referral to a general practitioner. Your child’s dentist knows and understands your teen and will be a great resource in recommending a dentist who fits your child’s needs. When you start looking for a general dentist, check the following:
1. If the practice accepts your insurance and new patients
2. Whether office hours are compatible with your teen's schedule
3. The dentist’s experience in treating young adult patients, including monitoring wisdom teeth
4. If the location is convenient for your teen to eventually visit on their own
5. 5. Request or arrange to send dental records
Once you have selected a new dentist, arrange for your teen’s records to be transferred from the pediatric office before the first visit with the general dentist. This helps the new dentist view your teen’s X-rays and review treatment history. Having the dental records also can help prevent repeat X-rays.
Transfer Your Teen's Dental Records
Once you have selected a new dentist, arrange for your teen’s records to be transferred from the pediatric office before the first visit with the general dentist. This helps the new dentist view your teen’s X-rays and review treatment history. Having the dental records also can help prevent repeat X-rays.
Prepare Your Teen for Their First General Dentist Visit
Let your teen know that the appointment will feel different and focus on the positive grown-up experience. In some cases, it’s best to keep the statement about the difference simple and let them know you’re available to answer any questions.
Help Your Teen Take Responsibility for Dental Care
Depending on their maturity, confidence and readiness, consider having them:
· Schedule their own appointment
· Fill out the new patient forms
· Ask their own questions during the exam
· Keep track of their next cleaning
Plan for Special Needs and Dental Anxiety
If your teen has a developmental disability, complex medical condition, or significant dental anxiety that has required specialized management, plan for a longer, carefully planned transition. Choose a general dentist with experience in your teen's needs or trained in special care dentistry. Consider a get-acquainted visit before committing to a full exam. Ask your teen’s pediatric dentist for a summary of accommodations that have worked well to share with the new provider.
Expect Your Young Adult's Dentist to Check for Gum Disease
This includes taking gum measurements at every exam to give the dentist insight into your young adult’s gum health. They are not painful but may cause slight sensitivity in areas where gums are inflamed. Gingivitis is common in teens & young adults and can lead to periodontal disease. Saliva screenings that measure collagen breakdown or bacteria levels may be offered to treat gingivitis or periodontal disease proactively.
Expect Monitoring of Your Young Adult's Wisdom Teeth
These third molars typically appear between the ages of 17 and 21 and need to be tracked to make sure they are emerging properly and not impacting other teeth. The dentist may take a 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to view your child’s jawbone and teeth, the wisdom teeth placement, and any potential teeth and gum problems and infections.
Find your trusted, local dentist today!
Smile Generation blog articles are reviewed by a licensed dental professional before publishing. However, we present this information for educational purposes only with the intent to promote readers’ understanding of oral health and oral healthcare treatment options and technology. We do not intend for our blog content to substitute for professional dental care and clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment planning provided by a licensed dental professional. Smile Generation always recommends seeking the advice of a dentist, physician, or other licensed healthcare professional for a dental or medical condition or treatment.
