If you have a teenager at home who’s taking GCSE, A level or university exams in the May/June session of 2019, they’ll be getting ready for mock exams now. They’ll be busy, but don’t leave it too late to get their teeth checked. You won’t want anything to stop them from doing their best! One way to help is to book a dental examination now, to avoid an emergency later. This half-term is a good time to make an appointment.
Please note:
- Teenagers in full time education can register as NHS patients until they turn 19.
- In support of the Government initiative to improve the oral health of young people, SpaDental Chard, Plymouth and Whitchurch are registering children as new NHS patients. All you need to do is contact the practice. Your child won’t have to join a waiting list.
- Not all SpaDental practices have a contingent for NHS patients. Our dedicated private practices offer payment plans to help spread the cost of treatments across monthly payments. Ask about our favourable rates for young patients.
We’re half way through the school year, a time when many parents have exams on their mind.
At home we try to keep exam stress down to a minimum, while allowing our teens the space and time to study. We’re there with food and moral support, to provide a lift, or a chat.
One thing we want to be sure of, though, is that our teen is in good health. While our focus may be on mental and general health, we must remember dental health too.
Toothache is painful!
Sitting through a two hour exam with toothache is not going to be good for results. Popping painkillers isn’t good either. A dental check now will allow enough time to sort out a problem, if there is one, before it erupts in the upcoming months.
Typical dental problems that a teen may have:
- Pain in the jaw – stress-related jaw clenching or tooth grinding can be relieved by using a custom-fitted night guard.
- Sensitivity – if your teen notices some discomfort when s/he eats or drinks something hot or cold, get it checked out before it gets worse. It could be the beginning of bacterial infection which will only get worse without treatment.
- Wisdom teeth – these back molars usually start to break through between seventeen years old and turning twenty-five. Sometimes there’s enough room for them, but often there’s not. Pressure on the soft tissue or other teeth can lead to pain. Infection can cause sudden inflammation and a swollen face. A simple x-ray will show whether pre-emptive action is required or not.
